 From 1978 to 2002, he held various posts in French government departments and the French embassies in Italy, India, Poland and Turkey.Later, from June 2002 to April 2004, he was assistant director of staff of Nicole Fontaine, former President of the European Parliament.From 12 May 2004 to June/July 2010, he headed (more precisely, he was the "directeur général", i.e.