European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton on Thursday named Herman Portocarero and Joseph Silva as the heads of EU Delegations to Cuba and Djibouti respectively. The two officials will assume their allotted posts once accreditation procedures are completed.
"I am delighted to appoint these excellent candidates to these key posts in the External Action Service. Their experience and expertise will be a huge asset to our work in two countries which face many challenges over the coming years," Ashton said in a statement while announcing the new appointments.
"I have been very impressed by the quality of the candidates who put themselves forward. The opportunity to represent the EU in the world clearly continues to attract the very best diplomats," she added.
Herman Portocarero is currently Belgian Consul-General in New York. Prior to that, he had a successful career in the Belgian Foreign Ministry, including overseas postings as Ambassador in Jamaica (2004-2008) and in Cuba (1995-1999).
Joseph Silva was most recently the French Ambassador to Yemen. Prior to that, he has had numerous other postings abroad, including as Deputy French Ambassador in Lebanon (2005-2009) and in Ivory Coast (1997-2001).
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com