Joe Biden nominates Mark Gitenstein for EU ambassador post

US President Joe Biden has released a new lineup of nominations, including those for ambassadorial posts. In the latest lineup, Biden has nominated a former ambassador to Romania to serve as the US Ambassador to the European Union.

In the latest slate of nominations, Biden tapped Mark Gitenstein, who served as the US Ambassador to Romania from 2009 to 2012, to be the US Ambassador to the EU. The position is currently being held by Charge d’Affaires Kelly Adams-Smith, who replaced Mark Libby. The last US ambassador to the EU was Gordon Sondland, appointed by Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump.

The nomination of Gitenstein was welcomed by European Council President Charles Michel on social media.

“I welcome nomination of @POTUS of Mark Gitenstein to become US Representative to the EU. We have a big transatlantic and global agenda to take forward. We need all hands on deck and I look forward to working with him when confirmed,” tweeted Michel.

Aside from Gitenstein, Biden has nominated Patricia Mahoney for US Ambassador to the Central African Republic, former US ambassador to Uruguay Julissa Reynoso Pantaleon for US Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Peter Hendrick Vrooman for US Ambassador to Mozambique, and Laura S. Holgate to serve as US Ambassador to the Vienna office of the United Nations and as the US Representative for the International Atomic Energy Agency. All of whom require a confirmation from the Senate.

Meanwhile, Biden will be meeting with Cuban-American leaders Friday to discuss the recent social unrest happening in Cuba as of late. The discussions also include possible sanctions on the Cuban government and options to provide internet access to the Cuban people.

The upcoming meeting at the White House follows three weeks after the protests in Cuba -- seeing record numbers of citizens express frustration with its government. This included the shortage of food and medical supplies, power outages, the economic crisis, and government policies. The pandemic had only worsened the shortage of goods in the country.

A Biden administration official told the Associated Press that among the leaders Biden will be meeting with is Yotuel Romero, who co-wrote the song “Patria y Vida!” that has become a kind of anthem for the ongoing protests.