Dear colleagues,

My name is Maxim Burtikov and I would like to introduce myself to you all.

I have recently been hired as the RIPE NCC's External Relations Officer with special responsibility for the ENOG region. This is the first time the RIPE NCC has hired someone specifically to work in the ENOG region, so I am very pleased to given the opportunity to represent the community's interests.

My responsibilities will involve managing Internet governance issues in the region, establishing relations with government representatives and representing the interests of the Internet community and RIPE NCC members to governments and law enforcement. I will also help with preparations for ENOG Meetings in Russia and Ukraine as well as other meetings and events throughout the region.

I will mainly be based in Moscow, where I will organise an office and place where I can meet with members of the community.

This new position is the first step in the RIPE NCC's increased external relations efforts in the ENOG region. There are plans to hire a second external relations team member who will be focused on more technical issues. That position will be announced publicly and the advertisement will be sent to the ENOG mailing list.

I would like you to know that I am available to talk about any Internet governance-related issues or suggestions you might have. You can contact me at this email address or by phone at +7-903-960-11-70.

I will also attend the ENOG 7/RIPE NCC Regional Meeting in Moscow from 26-27 May 2014 (http://www.enog.org/meetings/enog-7/). I hope to meet many of you there!

I look forward to working with you and to hearing from you soon.

Best wishes for the new 2014 year, Maxim Burtikov External Relations Officer RIPE NCC