23/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, 23 July, the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) approved the appointment of Dutch General Ton Van Osch to the post of director general of the EU Military Staff (EUMS). The general, who has served as military representative of the Netherlands with NATO and the EU Military Committee since June 2007, will take up his post in June 2010 for three years. He will replace British General David Leakey. A changeover of post will also take place within the EU Military Committee (EUMC). General Hakan Syrén, who was formerly Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, will replace French General Henri Bentégeat from 6 November as Chairman of the EU Military Committee. General Syrén, who was commander of the Swedish amphibian corps (Amfibiekåren), will be the first Military Committee chairman with a naval background. (A.By./transl.jl)