The following statement has been issued by a spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office:

“Foreign Minister Westerwelle has decided that Ambassador Michael Koch is to become the new Special Representative of the Federal Government for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Ambassador Koch is currently Germany’s Ambassador in Islamabad and previously headed the Afghanistan task force at the Federal Foreign Office.

Foreign Minister Westerwelle would like to thank Ambassador Steiner for his outstanding work in the post. The Ambassador has rendered exemplary service, particularly with his important contribution to preparations for the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan.”