Vasileios Kaskarelis

Ambassador Vasileios Kaskarelis has been a member of the Hellenic Diplomatic Service since 1974. In May 2009, he was appointed as the Ambassador of Greece to Washington, following 16 years of continuous service in the Permanent Missions of Greece to significant International Organizations. This experience provided him with extensive knowledge and valuable expertise on European and global issues, as well as Transatlantic Relations. Ambassador Kaskarelis served as the Permanent Representative of Greece to the European Union (2004-2009), actively participating in crucial decision-making processes for the future of the Union (Lisbon Treaty, Financial Perspectives, Enlargement, Relations with Russia and Turkey, Transatlantic Relations, etc.). Earlier, he was the Permanent Representative of Greece to NATO during a period (2000-2004) marked by critical global events (September 11 terrorist attacks, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq) and regional (stabilization of the Western Balkans) and national (confidence-building measures between Greece and Turkey) developments. From 1994 to 2000, he served as the Deputy Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations, overseeing significant issues during a pivotal period for the Organization. He also served in the Greek Embassies in Ankara and Nicosia and as the Consul General of Greece in West Berlin during the fall of the Wall, closely observing the dramatic events that shaped modern Europe. Born in Athens on November 26, 1948, Mr. Kaskarelis studied Economics and Political Science at the University of Thessaloniki and Law at the University of Athens. He has been awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix and the Senior Commander of the Order of the Phoenix by the President of the Hellenic Republic, and he has been bestowed the title of Knight of the Order of Honor by the President of the French Republic. In 2011, he was named Diplomat of the Year by the World Affairs Council at an event held in Los Angeles.