| 3 March 2009 The Commission has appointed a new Head of Representation in Sweden, Pierre Schellekens. He will take on his new duties as of 16 March, 2009. Representations are the official voice of the European Commission in the Member States. They are responsible for explaining policies of the European Union and making Europe more understandable to people. They provide information about the EU through recognised outlets such as public libraries, business advice centres and education services. Their responsibilities also include providing information to the Commission on orientations and trends of public opinion in the country concerned. Pierre Schellekens joined the European Commission in 1996 and has most recently been working in DG Maritime Affairs, as Head of Unit for Maritime Policy in the Baltic and North Sea. Prior to this, Mr. Schellekens was the deputy Head of Cabinet of the Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas from 2004 to 2008.
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