Dublin, 10/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 January the under-secretary of state at the Polish ministry of foreign affairs, Jerzy Pomianowski, was appointed as the executive director of the European Endowment for Democracy by the organisation's board of governors, which is co-chaired by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and the chair of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, Elmar Brok (EPP, Germany). Pomianowski, who is 52 years old and a career diplomat, has also worked at the OECD, the ministry of education and has held posts in Japan and Sri Lanka.
The board of governors also discussed the strategic vision and mandate of the Endowment, whose objective is to grant subsidies to those in the field that fight for democracy throughout the world and particularly in the European neighbourhood.
Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle said that the EU could bring its experience and know-how to help the peoples of the European neighbourhood “address the challenges of transition from authoritarianism to democracy”. The Endowment will work directly with those in the field and offer dedicated, non-bureaucratic and flexible procedures that are tailored to the needs and demands on the ground, Ashton said in a press release.
The European Endowment for Democracy, which was established in October 2012 as a private law foundation under Belgian law, will have an initial budget of €14 million, including €6.2 million from the European Commission. It should become operational during the first six months of 2013. (CG/transl.fl)