The College of Europe is pleased to announce that Professor Sieglinde Gstöhl, who has been professor at the College since 2005, is succeeding Professor Mahncke as Director of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies as of 1 September 2010.

The College of Europe would like to thank Professor Dieter Mahncke for his many years of dedicated service. Starting out as visiting professor in 1975 in the European General Studies programme, he became in 1996 Director of the European Political and Administrative Studies Department when the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Chair for European Foreign Policy and Security Studies was established. Ten years later, when Rector Demaret proposed the creation of a new study programme focusing on the EU’s external relations and diplomacy, Professor Mahncke played an essential role in its setting up and successful development. He became the first Director of the Department of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies (2006-2010). Moreover, Professor Mahncke was for many years a member of the Academic Council and of the Administrative Council of the College. He has done much for the reputation of the College through his teaching and other academic activities.

Professor Mahncke holds M.A. and Ph.D degrees from the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, Washington, D.C., (1964,1968) and the Habilitation from Bonn University (1974). He was professor at the Bundeswehr Universities in Munich and Hamburg, Advisor to the German President (1980-1985) and Special Advisor as well as Deputy Chief of Policy and Planning at the Federal Ministry of Defence in Bonn (1985-1996). He held visiting professorships in Belgium, Bulgaria, the United States and Thailand and he is author of books and articles on European security, arms control, the role of Germany in Europe, transatlantic relations and South Africa. Professor Mahncke remains visiting professor at the College of Europe.

The College of Europe is pleased to announce that Professor Sieglinde Gstöhl, who has been professor at the College since 2005, is succeeding Professor Mahncke as Director of EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies as of 1 September 2010.