EU special representatives (almost) all renewed (updated)

19th June 2012 B2 Writing

(BRUSSELS2) The EU's special representatives, most of whom see their mandate come to an end on June 30, will be extended, following the normal mid-year renewal procedure. The only exception: Pierre Morel, special representative for Central Asia, who is retiring after a long diplomatic career, has been replaced... The replacement process is currently underway. And the Council of Foreign Ministers, Monday 25, in Luxembourg should extend all the representatives. As the EU prepares to appoint a new special representative, thematic and transversal this time since it will concern human rights (read: Soon a Mr/Madam “Human Rights” for the European Union), we can take stock of the 10 lucky ones already in place.

Africa

African Union

Gary Quince. 61 years old (British, agent of the European Commission). Ongoing renewal discussion

Gary began his career at the Delegation of the European Commission in Ghana (1981-1985) then held several positions at the Commission in DG Development (1985-1991 then 1995-2001). He also spent time with the Commission Delegation in the Pacific as economic adviser (1991-1995). He then became head of delegation in Kenya and Somalia (2001-2004). He then returned to the Commission as Director in the Development DG, first for Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (2004-2005) then for Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific from 2005, before being appointed in November 2011 Special Representative for the African Union.

Horn of africa

Alexander Rondos. 58 years old (Greek diplomat). His mandate is extended until June 30, 2013

His profile is quite atypical. He began as a journalist specializing in Africa (1977-1982) then in various civil society and Christian organizations, for which he also dealt with African issues, in Ethiopia (1985-1986) then in Egypt (1986 -1990). He worked mainly in humanitarian aid and development projects. He then made a stint at the World Bank (1996-1998), then became adviser to the Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreou, and will follow him when the latter is appointed Prime Minister in 2009. He has carried out numerous missions diplomatic: humanitarian mission in Greece after the earthquake in 1999, negotiation in Kosovo until 2004, director general of the department of development and international cooperation, mediation between Israelis and Palestinians, etc.

Sudan and South Sudan

Rosalind Marsden. 62 years old (British diplomat). His mandate is extended until June 30, 2013

She is the only woman who holds this position. Starting in offices in London, she was then second secretary at the British embassy in Tokyo (1977), then worked in the embassy in Hong Kong (1989-1991). She returned to Tokyo in 1993 as a political adviser and then became head of the United Nations department in 1996. From 2003 to 2006, she was the British ambassador to Afghanistan, then to Iraq until 2007, when she was appointed ambassador to Sudan.

Middle East – Arab World

Southern Mediterranean region

Bernardino Leon. 48 years old (Spanish diplomat). His mandate is extended until June 30, 2013

His first posting was Liberia (1990-1991), then Libya (1991), Algeria (1992-1995). He was personal adviser to the Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process, Miguel Angel Moratinos, from 1998 to 2001. In 2004 he became Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs until 2008 He was then appointed Secretary of State under the direction of the Prime Minister, of whom he was the main adviser for foreign affairs. He was also Sherpa for the G20 in 2009.

Middle East Peace Process

Andreas Reinicke. (German diplomat) His mandate is from February 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.

Considered one of the best German specialists on the Middle East, he was notably based in Tel Aviv and Ramallah. He also headed the Middle East department at the German Foreign Ministry. From 2008 to 2012 he was the German Ambassador to Syria (a position that has since remained vacant).

Afghanistan.

Vygaudas Usackas. 48 years old. (Lithuanian diplomat). His mandate is extended until June 30, 2013

First in charge of European Affairs and NATO at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania (1991-1992), then at the Delegation to the EU and NATO (1992-1996), he became Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1999. In 2000-2001, he was chief negotiator for Lithuania's accession to the EU. From 2001 to 2006, he crossed the Atlantic to be the ambassador to the United States and to Mexico, to return to Europe, as ambassador to the United Kingdom until 2008. As a special representative, he is also head of the EU Delegation in Afghanistan.

Central Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Peter Sorensen. 45 years old (Danish diplomat). His term runs from September 2011 to June 2015.

He is a specialist of the “multilateral” but also of the Balkans. Legal adviser to the High Representative in Sarajeveo (1996-1997), then head of the political department and main adviser to the head of the OSCE mission in Croatia (1997-1999), he then became legal adviser to the special envoy of the Secretary UN General in the Balkans (2000), then Principal Advisor (2001-2002). He then worked in UNMIK (UN mission in Kosovo) as Deputy Head of Pillar IV (reconstruction and economic development), until 2006. He then became personal representative of the EU High Representative in Belgrade, of 2006 to 2010. He has been the head of the EU delegation to Macedonia since 2010, a position he retains as a special representative.

Kosovo

Samuel Zbogar. 50 years. (Slovenian diplomat) His mandate is from February 2012 to June 30, 2013.

Third secretary in the department of neighboring countries in the Yugoslav foreign ministry (1990), he became adviser to the first Slovenian foreign minister in 1991. He opened the Slovenian embassy in China in 1993 then went to the United Nations as Deputy Permanent Representative (1997-2001). As State Secretary for Foreign Affairs (2001-2004), he took part in the negotiations for Slovenia's accession to the EU and NATO, as well as to the preparation of the Slovenian presidency of the OSCE. (2005). From 2004 to 2008, he was ambassador to the United States. Finally, in 2008, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia. As a special representative, he is also head of the EU delegation to Kosovo.

Central Asia

Pierre Morell. 68 years old (French diplomat). He will be replaced by a German diplomat

He was first Secretary First Secretary then Second Counselor at the French Embassy in Moscow (1976-1979), then French Ambassador to the UN Disarmament Conference in Geneva (1986-1990). He became diplomatic adviser to Mitterrand (1991-1992). He then chained the titles of ambassador: in Moscow (1992-1996), in Beijing (1996-2002) then in Rome (2002-2006).

Lire: German diplomat appointed EU special representative for Central Asia (subscriber access)

South Caucasus and crisis in Georgia

Philippe Lefort. 56 years old (French diplomat). His mandate is extended until June 30, 2013

After several years of teaching, he was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs when he left the ENA in 1987. First in Moscow (1989-1991) then at the General Secretariat of National Defense (1991-1993), he was then in Tokyo (1993-1997) then in Washington (1997-2000). Back at the Quai d'Orsay, he has been deputy director of human resources there since 2000. In 2004, he was appointed French ambassador to Georgia. In 2007, he returned to Moscow, where he was Minister Counselor and took part in negotiations between the French EU Presidency and Russia, following the conflict in Georgia in 2008.

Human rights

This new position, the first to be thematic and transversal, and not geographical, has been under discussion for a few years now. His mandate, currently being finalized, will last two years. Read also:

Also read (for those interested in predecessors):

EU Special Representatives confirmed, provisionally)

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11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30