Stefano Sannino has introduced he’ll retire early from his present publish as Director-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf, following his involvement within the ongoing investigation into suspected misuse of EU funds.
In an inner message to employees on Wednesday, and seen by Euractiv, Sannino confirmed that he had been questioned in relation to a venture carried out throughout his tenure because the secretary-general of the EU’s diplomatic service, the EEAS.
He stated, nonetheless, was “assured within the work of the magistrates and assured that all the things might be clarified”. Sannino was taken into custody after which launched late on Tuesday after being named a suspect within the fraud probe rocking Brussels.
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Citing the necessity to shield the Directorate-General’s work, Sannino stated he now not thought-about it “applicable to proceed” in his function and would retire on the finish of December.
“The Directorate-General wants to remain centered on its exercise and implement the formidable agenda that we have now developed,” he wrote.
Deputy DG Michael Karnitschnig will assume the function of performing director instantly, the e-mail stated.
It is the primary top-level departure linked to the widening investigation involving raids on the EEAS and the College of Europe, first reported by Euractiv.
Karnitschnig is the cousin of Euractiv Editor-in-Chief Matthew Karnitschnig.
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