A Swede at the head of the COPS

Cathy Asthon, the EU's chief diplomat, chose. Its permanent representative at the head of the PSC, the Political and Security Committee, will be the Swede Olof Skoog. Which would not be a total surprise for the readers of this blog (1). This appointment thus marks the end of the rotating presidency of the COPS, which will no longer change presidents as the rotating presidencies change, but will be appointed by a personality appointed by the High Representative.

A career ambassador, Skoog has already chaired this body during the Swedish presidency since he was the Swedish COPS ambassador from 2007 to 2009.

Career ambassador, close to Hans Blix

Born in 1962, graduated in law from the University of Lund, he joined the Swedish diplomatic service in 1990, as second secretary at the embassy in Havana (Cuba), then moved to the delegation to the CSCE (Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe) in Vienna (1992 - 1994). The CSCE then tried to play a role in the Yugoslav conflicts, with a mission deployed in Kosovo.

From 1994 to 1997, he was chief of staff of the office of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, then returned, this time, to the permanent representation of Sweden to the United Nations (1997 - 2000). He moved frankly to the international side by working in the UN Inspection and Verification Commission for Iraq (UNMOVIC) from 2000 to 2001. Commission which he followed closely since in 2003 he became political adviser to Hans Blix, the chief inspector. From 2004 to 2007, he was Director General for Political Affairs at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs before leaving for Brussels.

(1) With whom governs Ashton (4): the first names of the “Top ten” of the diplomatic service