EU's Turkey ambassador to become Berlin's point man in Brussels  – Euractiv

BERLIN – Thomas Ossowski, an experienced diplomat who has previously been posted to Brussels, has been selected as Germany’s new ambassador to the EU, Euractiv has learned. 

The appointment is a key one for the new German government given negotiations are just about to start on the EU’s next seven-year budget, and in the midst of discussion over massive new joint defence spending. Underscoring the importance of EU affairs to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ossowski’s predecessor in post, Michael Clauß, has just moved to Berlin to become chief advisor on European affairs to the chancellery.

Several sources familiar with the matter expected Ossowski’s appointment to the role to be confirmed by the German cabinet on Wednesday, as was previously reported by dpa. 

The 47-year-old career diplomat has served as the EU’s ambassador to Turkey since last September. Before that, he represented Germany in the EU’s powerful Political and Security Committee, which deals with coordination on security and defence matters, for four years.

In Brussels, Ossowski is seen as someone who knows the EU institutions well having helped negotiate for Germany on the bloc’s long-term budget. He also served as the Foreign Ministry’s director general for European affairs.

Ossowski also had a stint as Germany’s ambassador to the Philippines. 

(jp)