The European Commission has appointed Ambassador Branko Baričević as the first Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia. He will take up his office on 1 July.

Consequently, the current Delegation of the EU will close, and, instead, a Commission Representation will open. Ambassador Baričević will lead a team of 18 mission members.

A career diplomat, since 2005 Mr Baričević has been the Head of Mission of Croatia to the EU in Brussels. He previously served in different diplomatic missions to the USA, Cyprus and Portugal. Prior to his diplomatic career, he was a medical doctor, having undertaken studies in Zagreb, New York and Munich.

He brings to his new role a track record of working with the European institutions during the negotiations for the accession of Croatia to the EU and has a strong background in communication related to EU integration, EU policies and EU institutions.

The European Commission has Representations in all 28 EU Member States and Regional Offices in Barcelona, Belfast, Bonn, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Marseille, Milan, Munich and Wrocław. They inform the media and public about EU policies and report to the European Commission on significant developments in the country. The Representations are under the authority of Vice-President Viviane Reding.