BRUSSELS, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 (WAFA) – The European Union Tuesday appointed a new head for its Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), according to the Council of the European Union.

The Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union announced in a press statement that Nataliya Apostolova, an experienced diplomat from Bulgaria, was appointed Head of EUPOL COPPS.

Apostolova is the first Bulgarian national to be appointed to lead an EU Common Security and Defence Policy Mission. She will also be the first woman to head EUPOL COPPS.

Over the course of a diplomatic career spanning over 25 years, Apostolova has served in senior positions in the Middle East and the Balkans, where she has developed significant expertise in areas affected by conflict. She served as the Ambassador/Head of the EU Delegation to Libya from July 2013 – August 2016 and as the EU Special Representative/Head of the EU Office in Kosovo from September 2016 – August 2020.

Prior to her appointment as Head of the EU Delegation to Libya, she served as Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, from July 2010 – July 2013, a position she was appointed to after almost two decades working in Bulgarian public service and the EU institutions as an official and diplomat.

After Apostolova takes up her post, EUPOL COPPS will be the first CSDP Mission to have a female Head of Mission and female Deputy Head of Mission serving at the same time. The Deputy Head of Mission is Katja Dominik, from Germany.

K.F.