Ivan Bizjak Appointed EU Director General for Justice and Home Affairs
Ivan Bizjak has been appointed new director general for justice and home affairs at the EU. The former Slovenian justice minister will therefore become the second-highest-ranking Slovenian official in the EU administration, second only to European commissioner Janez Potocnik.
The decision on Bizjak's appointment was made by the EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana. The appointment will be officially confirmed by the Permanent Representatives Committee, a body incorporating the ambassadors of the member states to the EU.
Bizjak became a candidate for the post following standard procedure, including several demanding tests. Emerging at the top of the list of a number of suitable candidates, Bizjak is to take over the post next year, succeeding current director Charles Elsen.
The Directorate General for Justice and Home Affairs is one of the ten directorates within the Secretary General's Office of the Council of the EU and offers legal, linguistic and administrative support to the Council.
Ivan Bizjak, born on 6 January 1956 in Kranj, has a degree in mathematics and a Master's degree in political science. Previously he served as an interior minister (1993-1994), ombudsman (1994-1999) and, most recently, as justice minister (2000-2004).
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