Thomas Mayr-Harting

The Swedish OSCE Chairperson-in-Office appointed Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting of Austria as her Special Representative for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process in January 2021. Ambassador Mayr-Harting was first appointed as Special Representative by the Albanian Chair in 2020.

Prior to this appointment, Mayr-Harting was Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia in the European External Action Service from 2015 to 2019. He served as Head of the European Union Delegation to the United Nations in New York from 2011 to 2015. From 2008 to 2011 he was the Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN in New York,  representing Austria in the UN Security Council in 2009 and  2010. Ambassador Mayr-Harting joined the Austrian Foreign Ministry in 1979. He served, inter alia, at the Austrian Embassy in Moscow and as Ambassador to Belgium and NATO, Special Representative for the Western Balkans and Political Director.

Mayr-Harting received his law degree at the University of Vienna. He also studied at the College of Europe in Bruges and holds the Diploma of The Hague Academy of International Law. He is Chair of the International Advisory Board of the European Forum Alpbach and a visiting professor of the College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin.

Mandate

As the Chairperson-in-Office's Special Representative for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Mayr-Harting is responsible for mediation between the sides, to identify and promote compromises, as well as for liaison with the sides and other stakeholders. Mayr-Harting maintains contact with a wide range of actors, and is charged with identifying positions and scope for conflict-resolution efforts, including potential confidence-building measures. In addition, he prepares meetings of the 5+2 and provides information and advice to the Chairmanship. Mayr-Harting was appointed by the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship and advises the Chairperson-in-Office.