Javier Solana, EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, announced today, in his capacity as Head of the European Defence Agency, the following appointments of Agency Directors:
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CAPABILITY - Major-General Pierre HOUGARDY (currently commanding the Concepts and Planning Division in the Belgian Joint Staff)
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RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY - Bertrand de CORDOUE Ingénieur en chef de l'Armement (currently Director of the Economic and Trade Department of the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry)
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ARMAMENTS - Brigadier-General Carlo MAGRASSI (currently Deputy Chief, Aeronautical Programmes, in the Italian National Directorate for Armaments)
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INDUSTRY AND MARKET - Mr. Ulf HAMMARSTRÖM (latterly Minister and Head of Defence Affairs at the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU and NATO)
These four Directors, along with the Chief Executive (Nick Witney) and the Deputy Chief Executive (Hilmar Linnenkamp) - whose appointments were announced on 30 July - will constitute the Agency's Management Board.
Javier Solana said: "these appointments are a key step along the road to achieving a functioning Agency by the end of the year. We were fortunate to be able to select the Agency's Directors from amongst an exceptionally strong field of candidates offered by the participating Member States. I am delighted to be able to announce such a talented and well-qualified "top team" to guide the Agency through its early years."