Former European Movement International and European Youth Forum’s Secretary General, Diogo Pinto, has been appointed as the new Director of the European Friends of Armenia (EuFoA).

For more than 10 years, Diogo Pinto provided strong and efficient leadership to two large European NGOs – the European Youth Forum and the European Movement International – and he was until recently Secretary General of Fondation EurActiv, dealing with media issues. Speaking four languages, Diogo has a sociology background, is Portuguese, 41, and lives in Brussels with his wife and their two children.

Michael Kambeck, one of the founders and Board Member of EuFoA, said about Diogo Pinto: “Diogo is a longstanding partner, with whom I worked for years in the EU’s NGO sector. He is a problem solver and knows how to work well with other NGOs and institutions. He will now lead our small and efficient organisation, adding to the very much needed strong voice for Armenia in Europe”

Diogo Pinto responded: “My challenge is clear: to impart a fresh thrust to EU-Armenia relations, which are even more important and needed at these difficult times. This is about stronger advocacy and networking, better communications, and greater outreach, both in Brussels and in Armenia. I stand by the values upheld by the organisation, and I am deeply committed to consolidate and further develop all possible bridges between Europe and Armenia.”

Hovhannes Grigoryan, Secretary General of EuFoA, voiced his gratitude to former Director Eduardo Lorenzo Ochoa and the rest of EuFoA’s team for their work and devotion over the past two and a half years, and commented on Diogo Pinto’s appointment, adding: “We’re excited to see an experienced professional like Diogo Pinto joining the team. The organisation has undergone fundamental institutional and strategic changes recently, and Diogo brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help lift EuFoA to new heights.”