Brussels, 22/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - In addition to the appointment of Mathias Ruete as the new Director General for DG Energy and Transport (see EUROPE 9095), the Commission has made other changes to its personnel. Danish national Claus Haugaard Sorensen (currently head of cabinet for Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel) will become the new Director General of DG Communications in January, reporting to Commissioner Margot Wallstrom and responsible for implementing the European Commission's new communications policy. Dutch national Alexander Italianer (currently deputy head of cabinet for Jose Manuel Barroso) has been appointed the new Deputy Secretary General in the Secretariat General, responsible for inter-institutional relations, strategy planning, personnel, security and administration. He will chair inter-service groups and will have specific coordination and management responsibilities for a number of Directorates at the Secretariat General. Greek national Fokion Fotiadis (currently Director for Relations with Asia) has been appointed the new Deputy Director General at DG External Relations, with responsibility for the EU's new Neighbourhood Policy and relations with Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.