EU names new US ambassador

David O’Sullivan, one of the EU’s top diplomats, given crucial post in Washington, DC.

David O’Sullivan, one of the top three officials in the European Union’s diplomatic service, was today named as the next EU ambassador to the United States.

The announcement, made today by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, confirms the long-standing expectation that O’Sullivan would take over the post.

European Voice reported in mid-January that the Irishman was all but certain to be given the post, which is currently occupied by João Vale de Almeida, a Portuguese.

Like Vale de Almeida, O’Sullivan has spent his career in European institutions, rather than in diplomatic service.

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The European Commission approved the shortlist of candidates for the post before Christmas, and Ashton was always thought likely to give the job to O’Sullivan, who, as chief operating officer of the European External Action Service (EEAS), was a key figure in the frequently painful establishment of the diplomatic service.

The EEAS, which was created by the Treaty of Lisbon in late 2009, was formally launched at the beginning of 2011.

During his 30 years in the European Commission, O’Sullivan served in four Commission departments and in the private offices of three European commissioners.

His last Commission role was as director-general of the trade department, from 2005-10, and trade is likely to feature prominently in his work in Washington, DC, as the EU and the US are currently one year into negotiations on striking the biggest free-trade agreement ever.