Brussels, Belgium
September 10, 2003

The European Commission today appointed Mr. Alexander Tilgenkamp, Commission official of Dutch nationality, Deputy Director General of DG Agriculture. Mr. Tilgenkamp will be responsible for Institutional Relationships, Communication and Quality, Markets for Plant and Animal Products as well as Specialised Crops, Vineyards and Wine products.

Alexander Tilgenkamp, 62 years of age, joined the Commission in 1970 as an administrator in DG AGRI and dealt with the accession negotiations for the enlargements involving the UK, Denmark and Ireland, Greece as well as Spain and Portugal.

He was Head of Division for two years with responsibility for structural actions in the fisheries sector before being appointed a Director, also in DG Agriculture, for several common market organisations in 1986. He has since held other Director posts, including responsibility for international affairs in agriculture and enlargement negotiations.