BRUSSELS: The European Union Council of Ministers on Monday appointed ex-Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio as special representative to the Gulf countries.
In a statement, the Council said that the assignment of the new ambassador will be to further develop and enhance a comprehensive and more strategic European Union partnership with the Gulf countries.
EU appoints first special envoy to Gulf region
M Di Maio will be assisting the European Union High Representative Josep Borrell in the execution of the foreign policy and security features of the European Union joint communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf region of May 18, 2022, and the related Council conclusions of June 20, 2022.
The EUSR will seek ways to contribute to the security and stability of the region by engaging and supporting talks and long-term regional solutions with individual partners and relevant regional organizations in the Gulf, it added.
The new envoy will equally cooperate and support with the European Commission and the Council to help ensure the constancy of the EUI’s external action in the Gulf region and also contribute to raise the visibility and understanding of the role of the European Union.
The former Italian foreign minister will take up his office on June 1, with an initial mandate of twenty-one months.
“The appointment of Di Maio as the new special representative is an ambitious mandate,” commented Borrell. Borrell welcomed the Council’s decision to appoint Di Maio as the first European Union Special envoy for the Gulf region.
