France Names Philippe Leglise-Costa as New Ambassador to the EU

(Bloomberg) -- France’s government named Philippe Leglise-Costa, current head of the European affairs directorate, as the country’s new ambassador to the European Union. 

Leglise-Costa was former President Francois Hollande’s European affairs adviser between 2012 and 2017. Starting Nov. 20, he’ll take over in Brussels from diplomat Pierre Sellal, who is retiring. He’ll be one of France’s key diplomats overseeing its stance during Brexit talks. 

“It’s a key job,” government spokesman Christophe Castaner said on Thursday after the weekly cabinet meeting, where Leglise-Costa was appointed. “He is certainly the one who knows EU affairs best.” President Emmanuel Macron asked ministers to consult with Leglise-Costa when necessary, saying they should seek his advice “to make their policies coherent” with the president’s European vision, Castaner said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Helene Fouquet in Paris at hfouquet1@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Alan Crawford at acrawford6@bloomberg.net.

©2017 Bloomberg L.P.