Posted on August 02, 2011
FORMER Liberal senator for Queensland Russell Trood has been appointed the federal government's special envoy to eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus, the Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, announced yesterday.
Last month, Dr Trood completed his term as senator after first taking up his position in the upper house in 2005.
"Dr Trood will highlight the significant contribution Australia can make to the UN Security Council and our longstanding commitment to promoting the interests of small and medium countries.
"He will bring his strong background in international relations to help strengthen Australia's relations with countries in eastern Europe, the Balkans and the Caucasus, and will build on our considerable people-to-people links with these regions," Mr Rudd said.
Before taking up his position in the Senate, Dr Trood was associate professor of international relations and director of the Centre for the Study of Australia-Asia Relations at Griffith University in Brisbane.