Philippe Lefort appointed as EUSR

Philippe Lefort has been appointed the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, the release issued by the EU representative reads.

Lefort replaces Pierre Morel, who will serve as EUSR for the crisis in Georgia and Peter Semneby, who served as EUSR for the South Caucasus, until 31 August, 2012.

The release says that Lefort’s mandate includes the development of contacts with key political actors and civil society in the region, encouraging regional co-operation and contributing to the peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region in close co-ordination with the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and its Minsk Group.

A French diplomat who served as ambassador in Georgia and deputy head of mission at the French embassy in Russia and since 2010, Philippe Lefort has been the head of the Continental Europe General Directorate at the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.