Aina Afanasjeva will be joining EUROFISH as director from 1 May.
She comes from a position in the European Commission, DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, where, since 2005, she has been managing the implementation of EU structural funds programmes in the fisheries sector in different Member States.
Before that, for nine years, she was deputy director of the Latvian fisheries administration. Among her major tasks were the negotiations on trade in fisheries products, preparation of Latvia's accession to the EU, as well as representation of national interests in various EU institutions.
Ms Afanasjeva has a long record of international relations (WTO, FAO and the EU) and she was one of the key national representatives contributing to the FAO EASTFISH project and the establishment of its successor, EUROFISH.
Having experienced the process of bringing her home country into the EU, she sees a strong role for EUROFISH in continuing the work in central and eastern European countries of promoting fish processing and fish farming, of identifying trade and market opportunities, and of assisting industry to adapt to international market, quality, and food safety standards.
Ms Afanasjeva adds, "I am encouraged by the support of EUROFISH member countries and also by the new countries that we look forward to welcoming soon in the organisation."
