Alexander Tokovinin is currently the Ambassador of Russia to Belgium. He began diplomatic career in 1978 and held various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and abroad: Head of Israel and Palestine section of the Middle East and North Africa Department (1994-1996), Minister-Counselor at the Russian Embassy in Egypt (1996 — 2001), Deputy Director of the Policy Planning Department (2001 — 2004), Russian Ambassador to Morocco (2004 — 2008), Deputy Director
(2008-2011), then Director of the Policy Planning Department (2011-2016). In 2012 he was promoted to diplomatic rank of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. In June 2016 he was appointed Ambassador of Russia to Belgium. He is a graduate of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). Alexander Tokovinin speaks English, French and Arabic.