The HR and VP F. Mogherini appoints Jorge Domecq as new European Defence Agency Chief Executive

Jorge Domecq (credits Spain MoD)

09/01/2015 EEAS ref 150109_02_en

Today [9 jan 15], the High Representative / Vice President and Head of the European Defence Agency Federica Mogherini appointed Jorge Domecq as the next EDA Chief Executive, as a result of a selection process which started last December.

Jorge Domecq, a senior Spanish diplomat, is the current Ambassador Permanent Representative of Spain to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Prior to that, he served as Ambassador of Spain to the Republic of the Philippines.

Since the start of his diplomatic career in 1985, Jorge Domecq has held several positions with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he acted as Director General for United Nations, Global Affairs and Human Rights, as well as Director General for Multilateral Affairs. Prior to that, he also acted as Director of the Private Office of the NATO Secretary General and as Diplomatic Adviser to the Spanish Minister of Defence.

Jorge Domecq will take up his new functions on 1st February 2015.

“The diplomatic experience of Jorge Domecq as well as his knowledge of the European security and defence environment make him highly suitable for this position. He will help steer the European Defence Agency ahead of the June 2015 European Council and make an important contribution to the many challenges faced by Member States in the field of defence cooperation”, Federica Mogherini said.

The European Defence Agency is currently involved in major capability development projects in various domains such as air-to-air refuelling, remotely piloted aircraft systems, satellite communications and cyber defence. It also supports cooperation between Member States more broadly in areas such as standardisation, certification, research & technology and industrial issues.

“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Claude-France Arnould for her work as EDA Chief Executive over the past four years. During that period we have witnessed increased European defence cooperation in several domains, of which the recent development to move forward with a fleet of air-to-air refuelling aircraft is only one of many examples.” added Federica Mogherini.