Brussels, Oct 15 (DPA): NATO Thursday announced that it has given a woman its top press job for the first time in its 61-year history as it announced the hiring of international journalist Oana Lungescu as spokeswoman.

NATO has made efforts over the years to open up its traditionally male-dominated upper ranks to women. The current spokesman's deputy is a woman, but Lungescu's appointment takes the process a step up the career ladder.

"I'm pleased to announce that Oana Lungescu has accepted my offer to become the new NATO spokesperson," Anders Fogh Rasmussen told journalists in Brussels.

Lungescu was born in Romania, but has travelled and lived across Europe and is fluent in English, French, German and Spanish. Before taking on the NATO appointment, she was for years one of the key reporters on European issues for the BBC World Service.

Lungescu takes up her new job Dec 1. She replaces James Appathurai, a Canadian, who is moving to another position within NATO.