Francois Rivasseau

François Rivasseau currently serves as director of security policy and space policy at the European External Action Service. He previously served as minister counsellor and deputy chief of mission (DCM) of the Delegation of the European Union in the United States (2011–2015); minister counsellor, DCM, of the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. (2007–2011); permanent representative of France to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva (2003–2006); and assistant secretary for press and communication and spokesperson of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2000–2003). Prior to this, Mr. Rivasseau took part in negotiations on the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the Ottawa Convention banning antipersonnel landmines, in addition to serving in the French Bureau of the United Nations and other International Organizations (1993–1995). Born in Bordeaux, France, Mr. Rivasseau graduated from the Bordeaux Institute of Political Studies and holds a Ph.D. in law from the University of Bordeaux I. He is a graduate of the National School of Administration and also holds a degree of Roman languages from the University of Bordeaux III. He speaks fluent English, Spanish, and German and has basic knowledge of Russian.