Brussels, 27/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - Although the term of office of the current executive director for the European Defence Agency (EDA), Alexander Weis of Germany, expires on 30 September, the date for appointing his successor is still not known. The section under Catherine Ashton, who in her capacity as head of the agency is responsible for appointing the new executive director, says that the high representative intended to hold the candidates' hearings “in the near future”. Ashton's proposal is to be confirmed by the EDA Steering Board (defence ministers of the 26 EDA states). The date of the meeting, which usually precedes the informal meeting of EU defence ministers, still remains to be confirmed (EUROPE 10222). As things stand, Adam Sowa of Poland, the current EDA deputy director, is expected to take over as caretaker executive director as of 1 October supported by the second deputy director (one of the candidates for the post of executive director), Carlo Magrassi of Italy. Several names are currently being mentioned. Four French nationals are said to be in the running, including, according to press reports, the current director of the directorate for crisis management and planning, France-Claude Arnould. The former deputy director of the EDA, Arto Koski, is said to be supported by Finland, while Madrid hopes a Spanish national will have a post as deputy EDA director. (A.By./transl.jl)