Brussels, 05/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday the Council formally approved the appointment of Pierre Morel as the new Special EU Representative to Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kirghizstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan). Mr Morel is of French nationality and has until now worked at the Quai d'Orsay. He will be replacing Jan Kubis, who has become the minister for foreign affairs in Slovakia. Javier Solana, the CFSP High Representative, welcomed the appointment of Mr Morel. In a press release Mr Solana affirmed that “Ambassador Morel's role will be to promote good relations between the countries of Central Asia and the EU on the basis of shared values and interests. I look forward to working with him. He will have my full support. (hb)