Today, Katarzyna Smyk has been appointed as new Head of the European Commission Representation in Warsaw, Poland. In this function, she will act as the official representative of the European Commission in Poland under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen. The date of effect of her appointment will be determined later.
Katarzyna Smyk, a Polish national, brings extensive expertise in diplomacy, management, international negotiations, and political analysis. She possesses a profound understanding of various EU policy areas and is well-versed in the inter-institutional landscape. Her experience includes political coordination, especially during crises and countering hybrid threats and disinformation. In her new function, Ms Smyk will also rely on her robust communication skills that she has acquired by formulating targeted messages for the media and overseeing the preparation of communication material related to European Council meetings, and also by liaising with think thanks and a variety of other external stakeholders.
Ms Smyk is currently a member of the 'Integrated Political Crisis Response' team within the Secretariat-General of the Council. In this capacity, she represents the Council in the G7 Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine, works on political analysis of developments in Ukraine, and also reports on the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine. Previously, she served as an Adviser at the Cabinet of the President of the European Council. Earlier in her career, she held several management positions at the Polish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, contributing to the formulation of EU political priorities in the political and economic fields and working at the Office of the Committee for European Integration in Poland.
Ms Smyk holds a PhD from Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland.
Background
The Commission maintains Representations in all capitals of EU Member States, and Regional Offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Marseille, Milan, Munich and Wroclaw. The Representations are the Commission's eyes, ears and voice on the ground in EU Member States. They interact with national authorities, stakeholders and citizens, and inform the media and the public about EU policies. Heads of Representations are appointed by the President of the European Commission and are her political representatives in the Member State to which they are posted.
