Brussels, 14/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission announced on Tuesday 13 July the appointment of new heads of representations for offices in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Greece, France, Lithuania, Poland and the U.K.
The Commission appointed: - Jan Michal, currently an adviser in the Commission's Secretariat-General, as Head of Representation in Prague, with effect from 1 September 2010; - Barbara Nolan, currently Head of Unit in the Education and Culture Directorate-General, as Head of Representation in Dublin, as of 1 October 2010; - Panayotis Carvounis, at present Deputy Director-General in the Communication Directorate-General, as Head of Representation in Athens, beginning on 1 November 2010; - Anne Houtman, currently a Director at the Energy Directorate-General, as Head of Representation in Paris, from 1 September 2010; - Natalija Kazlauskienë, at present a Director at the Regional Policy Directorate-General, as Head of Representation in Vilnius, with effect from 1 September 2010; - Ewa Synowiec, currently a Director at the Trade Directorate-General, as Head of Representation in Warsaw, from on 1 October 2010; - Jonathan Scheel, at present Director at the Mobility and Transport Directorate-General, as Head of Representation in London, with effect from 1 August 2010.
By nominating high-level and experienced officials as heads of representation, the Commission wants to show that it is committed to strengthening its partnership with the member states and to working closer with authorities at national and regional levels.
The Commission appointed the officials based on their professional experience and sought to match the person with each country's particular needs. While the appointees are expected to have good knowledge of the country and its language, having the same nationality as the Representation is not a job requirement. (L.C./transl.rt)