High Representative Catherine Ashton makes a number of new appointments in the European External Action Service

Brussels, 12-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, announced today a number of new appointments within the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Catherine Ashton said: “I am delighted to appoint such excellent candidates to some of the key positions in the European External Action Service. Their talent and expertise represent significant assets for the EU’s external action and I look forward to working with them in their new roles”.

The appointments are as follows:
Roland Schäfer has been appointed Director for the Americas. Mr Schäfer is currently Deputy German Ambassador to Israel, and is a former Political Counsellor in the German Permanent Representation to the EU. He spent three years as Deputy Ambassador in Argentina.

Joelle Jenny has been appointed Director for Conflict Prevention and Security Policy. Ms Jenny is currently Head of Division in the EEAS for Conflict Prevention, Peace-building and Mediation. She has worked in the International Committee of the Red Cross and in the Swiss Foreign Ministry.

Bjorn Larsson has been appointed Director for Human Resources in the EEAS. Mr Larsson is currently Head of Unit in the Human Resources Directorate of the Council Secretariat. He has a background working on Middle East issues.

Stephan Auer has been appointed Director for Multilateral Relations and Global Issues. Mr Auer is currently Director for Globalisation, Energy and Climate Policy in the German Foreign Office. His diplomatic career has included postings in the German embassies in London, Riyadh and Rome.

Peteris Ustubs has been appointed Director for West and Central Africa and Sahel Coordinator. Mr Ustubs is currently Deputy Head of the Cabinet of European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs. He is a former Latvian ambassador to the Political and Security Committee in Brussels and Political Director.

Jacek Bylica has been appointed Principal Adviser and Special Envoy for 3on-proliferation and Disarmament. Mr Bylica is currently Head of the WMD Non-proliferation Centre at NATO, following a career in the Polish Foreign Ministry, including as Ambassador to the UN in Vienna.

The High Representative also announced her intention to appoint the following people as Heads of Delegation, subject to necessary accreditation and administrative procedures:

Andrew Jacobs: Fiji. Mr Jacobs is currently Head of Unit for Southern Neighbourhood in the European Commission (DG DEVCO) and was previously posted in Delegations in Hanoi and Bangkok.

Matthias Brinkmann: Iceland. Mr Brinkmann is currently Head of the EU Delegation in Canada with a background in the Commission working on Western European issues, including in the Delegation in Stockholm during the run-up to Swedish accession.

Rupert Joy: Morocco. Mr Joy is a former UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan and has spent three years as Deputy UK Ambassador in Morocco.

Juan Fernandez Trigo: Uruguay. Mr Fernandez Trigo is currently Spanish Ambassador to Paraguay. He was formerly Spain’s Ambassador in Haiti (2007-2011) and Deputy Ambassador in Cuba (2004-2007).

Caveat:
NB To complete the appointments, accreditation requests for Heads of Delegation are sent to host countries. The selected candidates take up duty only once accreditation of the host country has been granted. The selected candidates must undergo medical examinations and necessary pre-posting
training; further, appointment of candidates from the diplomatic services of the Member States is subject to verification of qualifications and other documents.

For more information: http://www.eeas.europa.eu/index_en.htm

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FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 – +32 2 299 97 80 – Michael.Mann@eeas.europa.eu
Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 – +32 2 298 65 70 – Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu
Eamonn Prendergast – +32 2 299 88 51 – Eamonn.Prendergast@ec.europa.eu
COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTO3@ec.europa.eu
www.eeas.europa.eu