UNIS/BIO/758
22 September 2005

New Permanent Representative of France Presents Credentials

VIENNA, 22 September (UN Information Service) -- The new Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations (Vienna), François-Xavier Deniau, presented his credentials today to Antonio Maria Costa, Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Deniau was serving as Director for Strategy at the Ministry of Defence (till August 2005).

Mr. Deniau has served in many capacities in the course of his career, including as: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Santo Domingo and in Nassau, with residence in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (1998-2001); as Deputy Director of the Cabinet of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1997); Diplomatic Advisor at the Cabinet of the Ministry of Territory Planning, Equipment, Housing, Transport and Tourism (1995-97); Minister at the French Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia (1992-95); Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Communities in Brussels, Belgium (1988-92); and as First Secretary, then Second Counsellor at the French Embassy in Rome, Italy (1984-88).

Mr. Deniau has studied at the Ecole Polytechnique (Polytechnic School), and at the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (National School of Public Management), year group "Droits de l'Homme", and graduated from the Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Administration Economique (National School for Statistics and Economic Management).

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