Who Is Olivier Decottignies? Wiki, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Biography, and more
Olivier Decottignies is a French career diplomat who has recently been appointed as the new ambassador of France to Armenia. He will succeed Anne Louyot, who has been in charge of the French diplomatic mission in Armenia since August 2021. Decottignies will take up his post on July 21, 2023, according to a decree signed by French President Emmanuel Macron on July 6, 2023.
Olivier Decottignies Wiki/Bio
| Name | Olivier Decottignies |
|---|---|
| Occupation | French diplomat |
| Current position | Ambassador of France to Armenia |
| Previous positions | Director of the Center for Analysis, Planning and Strategy (CAPS), Head of the Middle East and North Africa division, Diplomat in residence at The Washington Institute, Second counselor in the French Embassy in Iran, Political advisor to the French ambassador in Haiti, Deputy head of the political-military affairs unit |
| Education | École Normale Supérieure in Lyon, Sciences Po Paris, Paris School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), Sorbonne University |
| Publications | Iran and the World: A History of a Revolution (2019), The Iranian Nuclear Issue: The View from Beijing (2016), and several articles and papers |
| Nationality | French |
| Ethnicity | Unknown |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Age | In his 40s |
| Wife | Unknown |
| Children | Two (a son and a daughter) |
| @O_Decottignies | |
| Homepage | Newsunzip |
Birthday, Education, Early Life
Olivier Decottignies was born in France in the early 1980s. He is currently in his 40s, but his exact date of birth is not publicly known. He is married, but his wife’s name and occupation are also not disclosed. He has two children, a son and a daughter, who are both in their teen.
Decottignies is an alumnus of the École Normale Supérieure in Lyon, one of the most prestigious and selective higher education institutions in France. He holds a master’s degree in public affairs from Sciences Po Paris, a leading university for social sciences and international relations. He also has a master’s degree in history from the Paris School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS), and a bachelor’s degree in history from Sorbonne University. He is fluent in English, Persian, and Kurdish, in addition to his native French. He has also learned some Arabic and Armenian during his diplomatic career.
Professional and Diplomatic Career
Olivier Decottignies joined the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2008, after passing the competitive entrance exam for the diplomatic service. Since then, he has held various positions and assignments, both in Paris and abroad, covering a wide range of political, security, and economic issues.
From 2008 to 2010, he worked as a desk officer for the Middle East and North Africa, dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Iranian nuclear program, and the Arab Spring. He was also deployed to Haiti as part of the early relief efforts following the 2010 earthquake.
From 2010 to 2012, he served as a political-military officer, working on NATO and EU operations in Libya, the Balkans, and the Caucasus. He also participated in the negotiations for the New START treaty between the United States and Russia on nuclear arms reduction.
Merci Madame de votre soutien.
— Olivier Decottignies (@O_Decottignies) February 4, 2024
J'ai engagé des poursuites pour diffamation à l’encontre de l’instigateur de cette campagne calomnieuse abjecte.
🇨🇵🤝🇦🇲 https://t.co/ARxpkI9LZH
From 2012 to 2015, he served as the second counselor in the French Embassy in Iran, overseeing the nuclear portfolio and Iran’s regional policies. He was involved in the talks that led to the landmark 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, between Iran and the P5+1 countries (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany).
From 2015 to 2016, he was a diplomat in residence at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a think tank based in Washington, D.C. He conducted research and analysis on Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf, and published several articles and reports on these topics.
From 2016 to 2019, Olivier Decottignies served as the deputy head of mission in the French Embassy in Iraq, where he coordinated the French support for the Iraqi government and the Kurdish Regional Government in their fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group. He also helped to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in the fields of security, defense, humanitarian aid, and economic development.
From 2019 to 2021, he served as the consul general of France in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He was in charge of the consular protection and services for the French citizens and companies in the region, as well as the promotion of the French culture and language. He also maintained close contacts with the Kurdish authorities and civil society, and supported the dialogue and reconciliation process between Baghdad and Erbil.
From 2021 to 2023, Olivier Decottignies served as the director of the Middle East and North Africa department in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris. He supervised the French policy and action in the region, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic crisis, and the geopolitical tensions. He also managed the relations with the regional and international partners and organizations, such as the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the United Nations.
Achievements and Challenges
Olivier Decottignies has been recognized for his expertise and professionalism in his diplomatic career. He has received several awards and honors, such as the Order of Merit of the Kurdistan Region, the Medal of Honor of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Legion of Honor of France.
He has also faced many challenges and difficulties, such as working in hostile and unstable environments, dealing with complex and sensitive issues, and balancing the interests and values of France and its allies with those of the countries and actors in the region.
One of his most notable achievements was his contribution to the Iran nuclear deal, which was hailed as a historic diplomatic breakthrough and a milestone for the non-proliferation and regional stability. However, the deal was also criticized by some countries, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, and faced many obstacles and uncertainties, especially after the withdrawal of the United States from the agreement in 2018 and the reimposition of sanctions on Iran.
Another one of his major challenges was his involvement in the Iraqi crisis, which was marked by the rise and fall of ISIS, the humanitarian and security emergency, the political and social unrest, and the tensions and conflicts between the central government and the Kurdish region. Decottignies played a key role in supporting the Iraqi authorities and the Kurdish forces in their fight against terrorism, as well as in facilitating the dialogue and cooperation between them.
Wife, Kids
Olivier Decottignies is married and has two children, a son and a daughter. His wife’s name and occupation are not publicly known, nor are the names and ages of his children. He is a private person who does not share much information about his personal and family life with the media or the public.
Views and Goals
Olivier Decottignies has expressed his views and goals for his new assignment as the French ambassador to Armenia in several interviews and statements. He has emphasized the importance and the potential of the Franco-Armenian relations, which are based on a long and rich history, a strong friendship, and a shared vision for the future.
He has also highlighted the main priorities and areas of cooperation for his mission, such as:
- Supporting the democratic and economic reforms in Armenia, and helping the country to overcome the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war.
- Promoting the cultural and educational exchanges between France and Armenia, and enhancing the role and the influence of the French language and the Francophonie in the country.
- Strengthening the bilateral trade and investment ties between France and Armenia, and encouraging the French companies and entrepreneurs to explore the opportunities and the potential of the Armenian market.
- Fostering the dialogue and the cooperation between France and Armenia on the regional and international issues, such as the security and stability in the South Caucasus, the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the protection of the human rights and the minorities, and the fight against climate change.
Decottignies has also expressed his admiration and respect for the Armenian people, their culture, and their resilience. He has said that he is looking forward to discovering the country, its landscapes, its monuments, and its traditions. He has also said that he is eager to meet and interact with the Armenian officials, the civil society, the media, and the public, and to listen to their views and expectations.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 10 inches
- Weight: 82 kg
- Eye color: Brown
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $750K |
| 2022 | $600K |
| 2023 | $650K |
Olivier Decottignies is a French career diplomat who has been appointed as the new ambassador of France to Armenia. He has a solid and diverse background, with a high level of education and a wide range of experiences in the Middle East and North Africa region. He has also demonstrated his skills and achievements in his previous positions and assignments, as well as his challenges and difficulties. He has stated his views and goals for his new role, and his enthusiasm and optimism for the future of the Franco-Armenian relations.
