European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton appointed senior Italian EU official Stefano Manservisi as the new head of the EU delegation to Turkey on Monday.
Manservisi, who is experienced in Turkey's external relations, replaced Jean Maurice Ripper, who was previously a French ambassador to the Russian capital, Moscow.
"I am delighted to announce the appointment of this excellent candidate to this key job in the European External Action Service,'' Ashton said. ''His talent and expertise are significant assets for the EU's external action and I look forward to working with him in his new role."
Manservisi was previously the Commission's Director-General for Home Affairs before he was appointed to his latest post. He also served as director-general for development (2004-2010), head of cabinet to former European Commission president Romano Prodi (2001-2004), and deputy head of cabinet to former European Commissioner Mario Monti (1995-2000).
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