Romanian Diplomat Who Fought Anti-Semitism Dies

Romanian diplomat Mihnea Constantinescu, praised internationally for his efforts to combat anti-Semitism, has died, Romania’s government said Tuesday. He was 57.

The foreign ministry said Constantinescu, who advised Romanian prime ministers from 1990-2012, died Sunday in Nice, France, after a long illness.

U.S.-based Jewish rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Center called Constantinescu one of the “great figures of our generation in the fight against anti-Semitism.” Constantinescu chaired the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in 2016, contributing to the adoption of a working definition of anti-Semitism that year.

Calin Popescu Tariceanu, premier from 2004 to 2008, described Constantinescu as “Romania’s best ever public servant.” He said his natural modesty and discretion barred him from seeking high office.

Constantinescu helped Romania prepare for joining NATO in 2004 and the European Union three years later. In 2001, he played a key role when Romania chaired the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

His last job was as a government energy security adviser.

Later Tuesday, President Klaus Iohannis posthumously awarded Constantinescu one of Romania’s highest honors, the National Order for Faithful Service, for his “devotion and professionalism … put in the service of Romania’s interest,” and for “instilling a standard of excellence among young diplomats.”