BUCHAREST, Romania, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Romanian politician Varujan Vosganian has withdrawn his bid to be his country's European Union commissioner after failing to win union support.
The European Union said it wanted to further explore Vosganian's "acceptance of European standards and European values," the BBC reported Sunday.
In a news conference, Vosganian, 48, denied allegations of links to Romania's former Securitate secret police, abolished in 1989 when Romania became a democracy after Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was ousted.
He called the accusations "baseless."
Vosganian said he withdrew because a European Union examination of his candidacy "could damage Romania's image."
Romania plans to recommend a new candidate, a government spokesman said.
Romania hopes to join the European Union on Jan. 1 2007.
