Brussels, 03/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - Agostino Miozzo of Italy is to head the Crisis Response and Operational Coordination unit within the European External Action Service (EEAS), Catherine Ashton announced on Thursday 2 December. The extensive professional experience of Agostino Miozzo, who has held posts of responsibility within Italy's Civil Protection Department and coordinated emergency relief programmes during natural disasters in many countries, will “greatly enhance the EEAS”, Ashton commented. The other managing directors at the head of the various geographical and thematic EEAS units will be appointed by Catherine Ashton by the end of the year.
On Friday 3 December, Catherine Ashton announced another appointment - that of Robert Cooper of Britain to the post of Counsellor within the EEAS. Cooper, who has worked since 2002 as Director-General for External and Politico-Military Affairs at the General Secretariat of the Council, “will undertake specific tasks that require high-level engagement at an intensive level”, Ashton explains in a press release. (H.B./transl.jl)