EU appoints ex-Italian FM Luigi di Maio as Special Representative to the Gulf region.

BRUSSELS, May 15 (KUNA) -- The European Union Council of Ministers Monday adopted a decision to appoint former Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio as the 27-member blocآ’s special envoy to the Gulf.
The tasks of the new will be to further develop a stronger, comprehensive and more strategic EU partnership with the countries in the Gulf region, said the Council in a statement.
He will be supporting the EU High Representative Josep Borrell in the implementation of the foreign policy and security aspects of the EU joint communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf of 18 May 2022 and the related Council conclusions of 20 June 2022.
The EUSR will seek best ways to contribute to the stability and security of the region by engaging and supporting dialogue and long-term regional solutions with individual Gulf partners and relevant regional organisations, it said.
He will equally support and cooperate with the Council and the European Commission to help ensure the consistency of the EUآ’s external action in the region, and contribute to increase the visibility and understanding of the role of the EU.
Di Maio will take up his duties on 1 June, with an initial mandate of 21 months.
Di Maio served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy from 2019 to 2022. He held previously the positions of Deputy Prime-Minister, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Minister of Labour and Social Policies, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies and Member of the European Union Affairs Committee in the 17th Italian legislature.
EU Special Representatives are proposed by the High Representative to promote the EU's policies and interests in specific regions and countries, and provide the EU with an active political presence in those areas. (end) nk.rk