President of the IAI Scientific Council of IAI, and ex President of the Institute.
Career diplomat from 1972 to 2013, In June 2014 he was appointed European Commissioner in the Commission chaired by Manuel Barroso.
He was Permanent Representative of Italy to the European Union in Brussels (2008-2013), Head of Cabinet (2006-2008) and Director General for European Integration (2004-2006) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He had previously served in New York at the United Nations, in Algiers, in Paris and in Beijing.
He was also diplomatic advisor to the vice-president of the Council of Ministers (1998), fellow at the Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, (1985-86).