Overview

• Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the move after the Council of Ministers signed off on a reform of the Farnesina.
• Cecilia Piccioni leaves Moscow to head the Directorate General for Political Affairs and will serve as a deputy secretary‑general, becoming the first woman to lead the unit.
• Stefano Beltrame is a veteran diplomat and former ambassador to Austria who previously served as consul general in Shanghai and held assignments in Kuwait, Germany, Iran, the United States and China.
• Beltrame advised Matteo Salvini, Giancarlo Giorgetti and Luca Zaia, and is widely described as close to the Lega, a political detail highlighted in coverage of the appointment.
• The Moscow posting remains highly sensitive due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions, and Veneto president Luca Zaia publicly praised Beltrame’s experience in congratulating him.