Usackas receives key EU Afghanistan posting

BRUSSELS - Former Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas has been nominated to become the new EU envoy to Afghanistan.

The Lithuanian career diplomat was the first appointment of a special representative to be made by the EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton. He received approval from EU foreign ministers earlier this week.

“He is a fantastic appointment,” Ashton said. “I am a hundred percent satisfied that this is the right person and there’s nothing that I need to be worried about.”

Usackas has been criticized as a poor choice for the important position because of his recent dismissal from his position as Lithuania's head diplomat. He was forced to leave that post after a public falling out with the president over a scandal in which the foreign  minister allegedly covered up the existence of illegal CIA prisons in the country.

His main task will be to coordinate the EU's aid to Afghanistan with the Afghan authorities and other key players, such as NATO and the United Nations.

Vygaudas Usackas, 46, has previously served as ambassador to Britain and United States.

Usackas will replace Ettore Francesco Sequi, the EU envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who is set to step down at the end of the month.