Former US Ambassador to Romania Mark Gitenstein is likely to become Permanent Representative of the United States to the European Union, and Senior State Department Adviser Julie Smith may be appointed to the post of US Permanent Representative to NATO. This was announced on Sunday, April 25, by the Axios news portal, citing knowledgeable sources.
According to their information, some advisers to US President Joe Biden want the White House to announce the candidatures ahead of the American leader’s first trip abroad. Biden intends to visit Great Britain and Belgium on June 11-14, where he will take part in the summits of the G7 (USA, Great Britain, Italy, Canada, France, Germany and Japan), NATO and the USA-EU.
The publication emphasizes that the president began to consider candidates for the post of permanent representatives back in March, but has not yet made a final decision. The head of the American administration, the portal notes, is leaning towards the choice of Gitenstein and Smith.
Gietenstein is currently at Mayer Brown Law Firm and is an international lawyer. He also sits on the board of directors of the Biden Foundation. Smith was one of Biden’s deputy national security aides during his tenure as vice president of the United States. Fluent in German.
On April 23, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Joe Biden’s visit to the UK and Belgium would be his first overseas trip as an American leader. The trip will highlight the US commitment to rebuilding alliances, revitalizing transatlantic relations, and working closely with US allies and multilateral partners to “respond to global challenges and better defend America’s interests,” she said.