Chris Cooter
About Chris Cooter
Chris Cooter serves as the Head of Mission for the Mission of Canada to the European Union, a position he has held since 2019. His extensive diplomatic career includes roles such as Ambassador to Turkey and Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO, along with various positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Current Role at Government of Canada
Chris Cooter serves as the Head of Mission at the Mission of Canada to the European Union since 2019. This role is based in the Brussels Area, Belgium, where he represents Canadian interests and engages with EU institutions. His responsibilities include diplomatic negotiations and fostering bilateral relations between Canada and EU member states.
Previous Experience in Foreign Affairs
Prior to his current position, Cooter held various significant roles within the Government of Canada. He served as the Deputy Permanent Representative to Canada's Joint Delegation to NATO and was the Ambassador to Turkey from September 2016 to August 2019. He also worked as Director-General for the Foreign Affairs-CIDA Amalgamation Transition Team and held officer-level assignments in Policy Planning and Legal Operations.
Educational Background
Chris Cooter has an extensive educational background in political science and law. He studied at Simon Fraser University, where he earned a degree in Political Science. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from McGill University, a Master of Arts from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto.
Diplomatic Career Highlights
Cooter's diplomatic career includes various roles that demonstrate his expertise in international relations. He served as High Commissioner to Nigeria and Charge at the Canadian embassy in Cambodia. Additionally, he worked as First Secretary (Political) at the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi and held the position of Second Secretary (Political) at the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi, accredited to multiple countries.
Legal and Policy Experience
Before his diplomatic roles, Chris Cooter practiced as a property and commercial lawyer at Campney and Murphy in Vancouver, BC. He also worked as a Policy Officer in InterGovernmental Relations at the Privy Council Office in Ottawa and served as Director of Policy Planning at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, focusing on G8 and foreign policy review.