Previously she headed the Civil Justice Policy Unit in the DG. Prior to her 17 years' service in the European Commission, Ms Saastamoinen was Associate Partner in the law office of environmental and business lawyers Alanen, Marttinen & Saastamoinen in Helsinki. She has a Masters and Licentiate of Law from the University of Helsinki, and a Certificate of European Studies from the University of Saarland.
This decision takes effect on 1 May 2014. The second appointment concerns Mr Marc VANHEUKELEN, who becomes Director 'Sustainable Development; economic partnership agreements – African, Caribbean and Pacific; agri-food and fisheries' in the Trade Directorate-General. Mr Vanheukelen, who is Belgian, is currently the Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Karel de Gucht. He has occupied a number of senior positions in the Commission, including Head of Unit for relations with the United States and Canada, and chief economist of the Environment Directorate-General.
He has a doctorate in International Economics from the Geneva Institute of International Studies and degrees from the University of Leuven in both Economics and Contemporary History. The date of effect of this appointment will be determined later.
