Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Today on 24 July 2024 the European Commission has appointed a new Head of Representations in Brussels and Warsaw.
Thomas de Béthune has been designated as the new Head of the European Commission Representation in Brussels, Belgium, while Katarzyna Smyk has been appointed as the latest Head of the European Commission Representation in Warsaw, Poland. In their functions, they will act as the official representatives of the European Commission in Belgium and Warsaw under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen. The date of effect of their position will be 1 September.
What Is Thomas de Béthune’s Background?
Mr de Béthune, a Belgian citizen, brings considerable knowledge in urban management, communication, negotiation and political coordination. With two decades of assistance in EU institutions and with the Belgian authorities, he has a wonderful understanding of inter-institutional linkages within EU structures and a deep understanding of local development and innovative financial instruments for enforcing EU policies and legislation.
He has a particularly powerful background in developing sustainable funding solutions for Urban Development, often in collaboration with Financial Institutions such as the World Bank and the European Investment Bank. These arrangements have also provided him with substantial knowledge in undertaking representation duties vis-à-vis stakeholders outside the EU Commission, which will be a valuable asset in his new capacity.
What Experience Does de Béthune Have in the EU Commission?
Mr de Béthune currently functions as a team leader at the EU Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) in the ‘Urban Policy Unit. Earlier, he was the Head of the Western Balkans Investment Framework at DG Enlargement, where he operated donors and beneficiaries and penned the Western Balkans regional infrastructure project for 2010-2013.
What Previous Roles Has de Béthune Held?
Before joining the Commission, Mr de Béthune maintained a senior-level position in the Belgian Federal government, working on regeneration programs and coordinating Belgian urban approaches. He also performed in the Cabinet of the Minister-President of Brussels Capital Region as a specialist for regional development, negotiating and transposing EU regulations and EU programmes for urban policy.
What Is Katarzyna Smyk’s Expertise?
Katarzyna Smyk, a Polish national, carries extensive expertise in diplomacy, leadership, international negotiations, and political commentary. She possesses a deep understanding of various EU procedure areas and is well-versed in the inter-institutional landscape. Her background includes political coordination, particularly during crises and countering hybrid threats and disinformation. In her new position, Ms Smyk will also depend on the robust communication skills that she has developed by formulating targeted messages for the media and managing the preparation of communication material linked to European Council meetings.
How Has Smyk Contributed to Crisis Management?
Ms Smyk is presently a member of the ‘Integrated Political Crisis Response’ section within the Secretariat-General of the Council. In this capacity, she represents the EU Council in the G7 Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine, operates on political analysis of developments in Ukraine and also notes on the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine.
Previously, she performed as an Adviser at the Cabinet of the President of the European Council. Earlier in her profession, she held several management functions at the Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, donating to the formulation of EU political priorities in the political and economic domains and working at the Office of the Committee for European Integration in Poland.
