EU appoints David O'Sullivan as International Special Envoy for the Implementation of EU Sanctions

The European Commission decided today to create a new role of International Special Envoy for the Implementation of EU Sanctions to ensure continuous, high-level discussions with third countries to avoid the evasion or even the circumvention of the unprecedented restrictive measures that have been imposed on Russia since the start of its war against Ukraine. David O'Sullivan, a former Secretary-General of the Commission and senior EU diplomat, has been appointed as EU Sanctions Envoy and will formally take up this role in the second half of January.

David O'Sullivan has had a long and distinguished career in the European Public Service, spanning over three decades and culminating in five years as Ambassador of the European Union to the United States. 

Prior to this he was notably the Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service, responsible for establishing the new EU diplomatic service (2010-2015); Director General for Trade (2005-2010) where he was Chief Negotiator for the Doha Development Round and responsible for overseeing the launch of a number of free trade agreements and concluding the EU's agreement with South Korea; Secretary General of the European Commission (2000-2005); Head of Cabinet of Commission President Romano Prodi (1999-2000) and Director-General for Education and Culture.