BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s president has officially recognised Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president, almost a week after other European Union countries recognised him.

President Klaus Iohannis said yesterday that Romania had decided to join other EU countries and allies in recognising Guaido partly because Bucharest currently holds the EU’s rotating presidency. Iohannis, in charge of the country’s foreign policy, said Romania needed to have “quick, fundamental and firm reactions” to international developments.

Several EU countries, including Spain, Germany, Britain and France, had given Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s Government an eight-day deadline to call a new presidential election. The deadline expired Sunday and they recognised Guaido as interim president.

Guaido, who heads the Opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself Venezuela’s legitimate ruler on Jan 23. He has the support of Washington and most South American nations.