Kallas announces appointments in European External Action Service; Maasikas also gets post
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has announced key personnel changes in the European External Action Service (EEAS), including the permanent appointment of Estonian diplomat Matti Maasikas as deputy secretary-general and Kaisa Ollongren as secretary-general.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, announced several major appointments in the leadership of the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Estonian diplomat Matti Maasikas has been confirmed on a permanent basis as Deputy Secretary-General for Geoeconomics and Inter-Institutional Issues. He had been performing these duties on an interim basis since 2025.
The new Secretary-General of the EEAS, the top administrative official, will be Kaisa Ollongren. She replaces Belen Martinez Carbonell of Spain, who left to become the EU ambassador to Mexico.
Ollongren, born to a Dutch father and Swedish mother, has over 30 years of experience in European politics. She has served as Netherlands' Minister of Defence, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of the Interior. Most recently, she was the EU Special Representative for Human Rights. According to Kallas, Ollongren's experience will be a key asset in addressing the EEAS's current challenges.
French diplomat David Czwach has been appointed Deputy Secretary-General for Peace, Security and Defence. He previously headed the EU affairs directorate at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as an advisor to the French President on the Middle East. Currently, Czwach is France's Permanent Representative to NATO.
His start date will be announced separately, while the other appointees will assume their positions on September 1.
