EU foreign policy chief to propose 43 new ambassadors

Federica Mogherini's proposed appointees include a mix of current EU diplomats, national diplomats, and EU high-flyers.

Federica Mogherini, the EU's chief diplomat | John Thys/AFP via Getty Images

Federica Mogherini, the EU’s chief diplomat and head of the European External Action Service (EEAS), has nominated 43 new ambassadors to the bloc’s embassies around the world, according to an internal list seen by POLITICO.

The appointments, which now require the approval of national governments, involve the rotation of the top diplomats in nearly one-third of the EU’s 139 delegations around the world. The appointments are concentrated in Latin America and Africa, and include five G20 countries: Russia, Canada, Mexico, Australia and Argentina.

The appointees are a mix of current EU diplomats, national diplomats and EU high-flyers from other policy areas. Fourteen of the 43 nominees are women, and 14 are existing EU ambassadors.

Several nominees are set to generate particular interest.

Moscow thaw

Markus Ederer is set return to the EU fold as ambassador to Moscow, rejoining the EU from his role as state secretary at the German foreign affairs ministry. Ederer was previously the EU ambassador to China. POLITICO’s diplomatic sources said Ederer is well-placed to assist any future thawing of EU-Russia relations.

Parachutes ready

We’re now in the second half of the Commission’s term and the parachutes of top political staffers are starting to open.

Peteris Ustubs, a Latvian member of Mogherini’s cabinet, is being given the plum post of ambassador to Canada. Paolo Berizzi will leave the cabinet of Commissioner Neven Mimica to become ambassador to Paraguay.

Britain’s Michael Mann, best remembered for surviving five years as Catherine Ashton’s spokesman when she was EU high representative, is the nominee for ambassador to Iceland. Mann is currently Mogherini’s head of strategic communications, and his appointment may prove controversial amid tense Brexit negotiations.

Tough assignments

Sem Fabrizi, currently EU ambassador to Australia, will be moved to Serbia managing links to a country at the heart of the increasingly fragile Western Balkans. Fabrizi, who sources said is trusted deeply by Mogherini, will have a critical role to play in monitoring both regional tensions and Serbia’s bid to join the EU.

Tosca Barucco will becomes chargé d’affaires for Syria, joining from the Italian ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation where she is responsible for coordinating policy on environment and climate change.

Newcomers to diplomacy include Klaus Rudischhauser, a German engineer and ecologist who joins from the Commission’s department for international cooperation and development. He will take the prize post of EU ambassador to Mexico amid crucial trade talks.

Karl-Otto König, Germany’s ambassador to Panama, will become the nominee for EU ambassador to Uruguay. Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa will leave her post as Portuguese ambassador to Namibia for the EU role in Venezuela. Johan Borgstam, Sweden’s ambassador to Kenya, is nominated as EU ambassador to Ethiopia. Peter Michalko, currently head of Slovakia’s diplomatic mission in Athens, is set to become EU ambassador to Moldova.

The biggest promotion is for Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones who will shift from EEAS desk officer for Southern Africa to ambassador for Swaziland.

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