Hoge Vertegenwoordiger wijst nieuwe EU-ambassadeurs aan (en)

Catherine Ashton , EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Commission Vice-President has decided to appoint 27 new Heads of EU Delegation and 1 Deputy Head of EU Delegation, subject to the necessary requirements.

HR/VP Ashton said following her decision: "As promised to member states, the European Parliament and EU citizens, I have appointed the best people for the right jobs. I am extremely pleased by the calibre of those who applied for the posts.

I have consistently asked member states and the EU institutions to put forward the brightest and best that Europe has to offer and I hope this will continue to be the case as we build the new European External Action Service, because EU citizens deserve to be represented by the best that Europe has to offer.

I am pleased that we have made a start to address the important issues of geographical and gender balance. These appointments show an improvement in both, but there is more to do. I will be discussing with member states how we can continue to improve and achieve my ambition of a service that is truly representative and appointed on merit."

The appointments are part of the wider recruitment exercise for the future EEAS, including the recently published top management positions, permanent chair of the Political and Security Committee and 80 political posts in delegations and other vacant jobs in headquarters.

HR/VP Ashton is in the process of screening the candidates for the recently published posts for an upgraded Head of Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the two Head of Delegation posts in Geneva (WTO and UN).

As soon as the 2010 rotation exercise has been concluded, HR/VP Ashton will start work on 2011 rotation, which is expected to include a comparable number of Head of Delegation posts as in 2010.

NOTE: * All candidates must undergo medical examinations and necessary pre-posting training. Temporary agents are subject to verification of qualifications and other documents. 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.

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  Vygaudas Usackas was already appointed in March as part of the 2010 rotation

More information: http://www.eeas.europa.eu