Pierre Vimont, France’s ambassador to the United States, and David O’Sullivan, the European Commission’s director-general for trade, have been appointed to the two most senior positions in the European Union’s new diplomatic service.

Catherine Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief,  announced today (25 October) that Vimont would be secretary-general and O’Sullivan chief operating officer of the European External Action Service, which she intends to launch on 1 December.

“I promised to appoint the brightest and best and in Pierre Vimont as the executive secretary-general, and David O’Sullivan as chief operating officer, I have done just that,” Ashton said in a statement.

“Pierre is held in the highest regard by the diplomatic community and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise on foreign policy issues. David has served in the highest capacity in the European Commission, as well as having a diplomatic background. In their respective roles they will help to create a European diplomatic service that the people of Europe can be proud of.”

Vimont served as chief of staff under three foreign ministers of France and as France’s permanent representative to the EU. O’Sullivan served as secretary-general of the Commission before becoming director-general for trade.

Ashton’s announcement came after member states’ ministers for foreign or European affairs adopted the legal acts required for the EEAS to launch. She intends to announce two deputy secretaries-general in the coming days, expected to be Helga Schmid of Germany and Maciej Popowski of Poland.