Ane Barcos
Spanish diplomat Belén Martínez Carbonell, who had served as Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and deputy to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, since February 1, 2025, announced on Tuesday that it was her last day in the post before taking up her new role as European Union ambassador to Mexico.
Martínez Carbonell stated in a message posted on social media that September 1 was her last day as Secretary General of the EEAS. “It has been an honor to work with so many inspiring colleagues,” said the Spanish diplomat, who thanked Kallas for “her trust” during her time leading the European diplomatic service.
In her message, Martínez Carbonell wished her successor, Kajsa Ollongren, “the best of luck” and added that she looked forward to assuming her new post as European Union ambassador to Mexico. Born in Ourense in 1969, Martínez Carbonell has over fifteen years of experience in European institutions, with responsibilities at both the EEAS and the European Commission. Before being appointed Secretary General of the European diplomatic service, she served as Director General for the Global Agenda and Multilateral Relations at the EEAS.
During her career at the European External Action Service, she also served as Director of Human Resources and held various positions related to European foreign policy. Her appointment as Secretary General in January 2025 placed her at the head of the EEAS’s internal coordination and as the High Representative’s main support in managing the organization.
