UNIS/BIO/631
15 January 2002

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANCE
PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

VIENNA, 15 January (UN Information Service) – The new Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations (Vienna), Patrick Villemur, presented his credentials on Tuesday to Steinar B. Bjornsson, Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), and the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP).

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Villemur was Secretary-General of the French Presidency of the European Union. Between 1996 and 1999, he served as Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Venezuela. From 1993 to 1996 he served as Minister Counselor in Washington and for the previous four years he was at the same post in London. Before he became Head of the Minister for European Affairs’ private office in 1988, Mr. Villemur was Head of Department, Economic Cooperation Division, Economic and Financial Affairs Directorate, in charge of relations with EEC and ECSC from 1985 to 1988.

Mr. Villemur joined France’s Foreign Service as Secretary at the Asia-Oceania Directorate in 1973. He was First Secretary in Athens between 1976 and 1978, and First Secretary then Second Counselor in London between 1978 and 1983. From 1983 to 1985 he was Second Counselor in Algiers.

Mr. Villemur holds degrees in law and political science, and graduated from the National School of Administration. He speaks French (mother tongue), English and Spanish.

He is married with two children.

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