Mediamax, Armenia
Aug 26 2011
The French diplomat becomes the new EU Special Representative for the
Southern Caucasus
Friday 26 August 2011 16:28
Yerevan/Mediamax/. French diplomat Philippe Lefort is appointed
European Union Special Representative for the Southern Caucasus and
crisis in Georgia.
Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for the Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy, European Commission Vice -President, said she is
greatly satisfied with his appointment to `this important position’,
Mediamax reports.
`Philippe Lefort has an in-depth knowledge of the region and years of
experience working there at the very highest level. I am confident
that he is an ideal choice for the EUSR for the South Caucasus and the
crisis in Georgia and that he will enhance the EU’s role in this
sensitive region’, stated Catherine Ashton.
Mediamax notes that on February 28, 2011, the mandate of the Special
Representative of EU for the South Caucasus came to an end and the
Swedish diplomat Peter Semneby left the given position. In early
March, the Maja Kocijancic, Spokesperson of the High Representative of
EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said in an interview to
Mediamax:
`The High Representative Catherine Ashton is currently discussing with
Member States how to organize the work in these regions in the light
of the Lisbon Treaty, setting-up of the EEAS and the situation on the
ground, including the new roles of delegations. Our aim is clear: We
want to have a stronger and more active role for the EU foreign policy
everywhere. The question you are raising is only organizational; there
is no change of policy. Also we cannot compare the situation in the
regions – the role of the EU varies, although not the ambitions’.
The position of EU Special Representative in the South Caucasus was
established in early 2006.