The EU has appointed Gilles Bertrand of France as its new special envoy for Afghanistan.
Bertrand, a career diplomat with more than two decades of experience in EU institutions, most recently served as the EU’s ambassador to Colombia since 2021.
A native of Marseille, Bertrand studied business administration and political science before beginning a long career focused on foreign policy and international cooperation. Within the EU, he has worked extensively on relations with neighboring countries and the Arab-Muslim world.
Bertrand previously served with the EU Delegation in Afghanistan and later held senior roles including team leader for the Brussels Conferences on the Syrian crisis and chargé d’affaires and head of delegation to Syria, based in Beirut.
He has also worked outside EU institutions, leading organizations focused on social inclusion.
Previously, Tomas Niklasson, was the European Union’s special envoy for Afghanistan. His mission that began in 2021 was concluded on March 1, 2025.
