Pietro Benassi

Pietro Benassi (born 7 June 1958) is an Italian diplomat who served as permanent representative to the European Union from 2021 to 2023. He also served as undersecretary of state for the Delegated Authority for the Security of the Republic in 2021, as ambassador to Germany from 2014 to 2018, and as ambassador to Tunisia from 2009 to 2013.

Pietro Benassi
Permanent Representative of Italy to the European Union
In office 11 March 2021 – 10 March 2023
Prime Minister	Mario Draghi Giorgia Meloni
Preceded by	Maurizio Massari
Succeeded by	Vincenzo Celeste
Undersecretary of state for the Delegated Authority for the Security of the Republic
In office 22 January 2021 – 13 February 2021
Prime Minister	Giuseppe Conte
Preceded by	Luciano Pizzetti
Succeeded by	Franco Gabrielli
Italian Ambassador to Germany
In office 23 September 2014 – 31 August 2018
Prime Minister	Matteo Renzi Paolo Gentiloni Giuseppe Conte
Preceded by	Elio Menzione
Succeeded by	Luigi Mattiolo
Italian Ambassador to Tunisia
In office 1 December 2009 – 16 May 2013
Prime Minister	Silvio Berlusconi Mario Monti Enrico Letta
Preceded by	Antonio d'Andria
Succeeded by	Fanara Lorenzo
Personal details
Born	7 June 1958 (1958-06-07) (age 67) Rome, Italy
Alma mater	University of Padua

Early life

Benassi was born in Rome on 7 June 1958.^[1] He graduated from the University of Padua with a laurea magistrale in political science in 1980, and joined the diplomatic service in 1984.^[2]

Career

On 31 July 2009 he was appointed ambassador to Tunisia.^[2][3] He served during the Tunisian revolution, which he affirmed Italy's support for.^[4]

He was appointed ambassador to Germany on 23 September 2014.^[5] He served until 2018, when he was appointed diplomatic advisor and sherpa for the G7 and G20 summits.^[2]

In 2021, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte named him undersecretary of state for the Delegated Authority for the Security of the Republic.^[6][7]

On 11 March 2021 he was appointed permanent representative to the European Union.^[8]

Personal life

Benassi speaks English, German, French and Spanish.^[9][2]

Honours

National honours

2nd Class / Grand Officer: Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2019^[10]

3rd Class / Commander: Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2009^[11]

4th Class / Officer: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2002^[11]

5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 1995^[11]

Foreign honours

• Germany: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany^[12]
• Romania: Grand Cross of the National Order of Faithful Service^[13]