On September 15, NATO Secretary General Japp de Hoof Scheffer announced appointment of Robert F. Simmons Jr., as Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia.
NATO official press release reads: “As the Secretary General?s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Mr. Simmons will be responsible for establishing high-level working contacts with regional leaders in order to support NATO?s objectives. He will also offer advice to NATO?s Partnership for Peace members on the appropriate Partnership instruments that they might use to enhance cooperation with NATO.
Simmons currently serves as NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, a position which he will retain along with his duties as Special Representative. Prior to joining the NATO International Staff, Mr. Simmons served as Senior Advisor to the United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. He has previously occupied a number of positions in the US Department of State dealing with Eurasian security and arms control policy.
During their Summit in Istanbul in June, NATO Allies agreed to place a special focus on NATO?s relations with the Caucasus and Central Asia. The Secretary General?s Special Representative will play a crucial role in the further development of relations with these two strategically important regions. The Secretary General is confident that Mr. Simmons will make a solid contribution to that end.”