Maria CASTILLO FERNANDEZ, European diplomat/official of Spanish nationality, now Ambassador of the European to the Republic of Korea, previously EU Ambassador in Malaysia from 2016-2020, Head of Division for India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh since September 2012 at the European External Action Service of the European, in charge of managing and coordinating the European's overall relations with these South Asian countries as well as with the South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). From 2008 to September 2012, posted in Hong Kong, representing the EU as the Head of the Office of the European accredited to Hong Kong and Macao SARs. From September 2005-2008, she worked as Deputy Head of Mission at the EU Delegation in Seoul (Republic of Korea) in charge of EU political relations and economic cooperation activities with the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Before this, Ms Castillo was responsible, in Brussels, for the European Commission’s overall relations with the Korean Peninsula, including both the Republic of Korea and DPRK (2000-2005). Ms Castillo completed postgraduate studies in European law, economics, and international relations with two masters, one at the College of Europe (Bruges, Belgium) and a second at the Institute of European Studies (Strasbourg, France) following a degree in law from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain). Ms. Castillo was decorated with the Cruz de Oficial de la Orden del Mérito Civil by the King of Spain on 24 June 2008 for strengthening relations between the EU and the Korean Peninsula.