08/02/2021 (Agence Europe) – The Council of the European Union appointed Maryem van den Heuvel on Friday 5 February as Director General for External Relations (RELEX). This Dutch diplomat is currently senior foreign policy adviser in the cabinet of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel. She will take up her duties on 1 April 2021, replacing Leonardo Schiavo, who retired at the end of 2020. The EU ambassador to Kenya, Simon Mordue from Ireland, will replace Ms van den Heuvel as senior foreign policy adviser in Mr Michel's cabinet. In addition, Didier Seeuws has been appointed Director General for General and Institutional Policy (GIP) of the Council of the EU, from 16 February, replacing Jim Cloos, who retired on 1 February. (CG)