New German Government Makes Sweeping Diplomatic Appointments
Key ambassadorial roles in Washington, Brussels, London, and the UN reassigned based on Foreign Minister Wadephul’s recommendations
Germany’s new coalition government, in office since early May, has made a series of diplomatic appointments based on recommendations from Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, dpa learned on Monday.
Jens Hanfield, ambassador to Ethiopia, is to move to Washington to replace Andreas Michaelis, who is retiring. Hanfield has had two previous postings to the US capital, as envoy and as deputy ambassador.
Bruno Kahl, currently head of the federal intelligence service, is to represent Germany at the Vatican.
Thomas Ossowski, currently ambassador to Turkey, is to move to Brussels to represent Germany at the European Union.
Detlef Wächter, currently ambassador to Norway, moves to NATO. Wächter was part of Germany’s NATO delegation in Brussels between 2005 and 2007 and has broad experience in security issues.
Ricklef Beutin is to be Germany’s new permanent representative to the UN in New York, where he will work to secure a temporary seat for Germany on the Security Council in 2027-28.
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Antje Leendertse, currently in New York, is to be permanent representative to the UN in Geneva.
Foreign Ministry official Susanne Baumann is to replace Miguel Berger as ambassador to London, who moves to Warsaw, and Thomas Bagger is moving from the ministry to take up the post of ambassador to Italy.
The postings take effect only after agreement with the host countries in a process that can take several months.
Source: dpa