UNIS/BIO/723
29 September 2004

New Permanent Representative of Spain Presents Credentials

VIENNA, 29 September (UN Information Service) -- The new Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Aurelio Pérez Giralda, presented his credentials today to Antonio Maria Costa, Director-General, UNOV.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Pérez Giralda was serving as General Consul of Spain in Munich, Germany (2002-04). Mr. Pérez Giralda has served in a variety of functions in the course of his career, including as: Executive Advisor, General Direction for European Affairs (1997-98); Ambassador of Spain to Venezuela -- also accredited to Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and Suriname (1993-97); General Secretary for Technical Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Madrid, Spain (1991-93); Ambassador of Spain to the United Arab Emirates -- also accredited to Qatar (1990-91); Director, Policy Planning Staff, Ministry for Foreign Affairs (1987-90); Consul of Spain in Zurich, Switzerland (1983-85) and First Secretary at the Embassy of Spain in the United States of America (1976-80).

He has also served as the Head, International Legal Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Madrid from 1998 to 2002 and from 1985 to 1987.

Mr. Pérez Giralda received his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Santiago de Compostela and University of La Laguna in Tenerife, Spain. He also received a Doctorate in Law from the University of Bologna, Italy.

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