MACEDONIA: The EU has appointed Erwan Fouéré, an Irish citizen and long-time European official, as its new special representative and head of the European Commission delegation in the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia.
Mr Fouéré, who has worked at the commission for more than 20 years, is a UCD law graduate. His previous job was head of the commission delegation in Slovenia.
The appointment is significant because for the first time the EU has agreed to amalgamate the roles of commission representative and council representative to a country into a single position. This amalgamation of positions was envisaged under the EU constitution, which is now unlikely to enter into force for several years.
It is understood the amalgamation of the two EU roles into a single position proved controversial among certain member states. One EU source said last night the appointment had been delayed due to concerns expressed by Britain, which holds the EU presidency.
Mr Fouéré will take up his new position at the start of November. The commission is scheduled to deliver its recommendation on Macedonia's application to join the EU on November 9th.
He will also oversee the conclusion of the EU police mission in Macedonia, which is monitoring the country's police force.