Ex-Italian envoy to Pakistan appointed as NATO representative in Afghanistan

Stefano Pontecorvo brings diplomatic experience, including on Afghanistan and broad regional context, says NATO chief

Former Italian ambassador to Pakistan, Stefano Pontecorvo has been appointed as Nato's senior civil representative in Afghanistan.

The announcement was made by The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in a statement on social media on Monday.

SG @JensStoltenberg appointed 🇮🇹’s Amb Pontecorvo NATO Senior Civilian Rep to 🇦🇫.

His knowledge of the region will be key to preserve the progress achieved in #Afghanistan, a country w/ a long history of friendship with Italy.

Thank you @NicholasK111, good luck @pontecorvoste! pic.twitter.com/0qq1nFXMSI

— 🇮🇹 Italy at NATO (@ItalyatNATO) May 4, 2020

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the official statement said, "I am glad to announce that I have appointed Ambassador Stefano Pontecorvo as Nato’s next Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan."

Ambassador Pontecorvo will take up his post on June 1.

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"He brings a long-standing diplomatic experience, including on Afghanistan and the broad regional context,” the Nato chief added.

Pontecorvo is an Italian national and had served as Italy's ambassador to Pakistan.

The responsibility of NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan involves carrying forward the alliance's political-military objectives in the country and the region.

“Nato allies and our partner countries remain firmly committed to Afghanistan’s log-term security, which is important for our own security,” Stoltenberg maintained.