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Macron makes ex-ambassador to EU, Germany as foreign affairs advisor

French president Emmanuel Macron has appointed a former ambassador to the EU, Germany and Russia, career diplomat Philippe Etienne, 61, as his top foreign policy advisor in a move described as 'very good news' by the European Commission.

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Emmanuel Macron's appointment of Philippe Etienne as top foreign policy adviser was met with applause in Berlin and Brussels, indicating Macron's pro-EU stance and the importance of Franco-German relations, reports Deutsche Welle.

The new French President Emmanuel Macron signaled his priorities on Sunday by appointing France's ambassador to Germany and former EU ambassador as his top foreign policy adviser.

Philippe Etienne, a 61-year-old career diplomat, is well-known and respected in Berlin and Brussels.

"This is very good news. Philippe is an authority on EU affairs and a promoter of Franco-German friendship," Martin Selmayr, the head of cabinet for European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said on Twitter.

Etienne assumed the ambassador post in Berlin in 2014. Earlier in his career, he was a diplomat at France's embassy in the former German capital of Bonn. Between 2009 and 2014 he was France's top representative to the EU in Brussels.

Read more of this report from Deutsche Welle.