Muscat – For the first time, the European Union has appointed a special representative for the Gulf region, who took charge on June 1.

Luigi Di Maio will serve a 21-month tenure in the region, developing a stronger, comprehensive and more strategic partnership for EU with the countries in the Gulf region. 

The EU special representatives (EUSRs) promote the EU policies and interests in specific regions and countries and play an active role in consolidation of peace, stability and the rule of law.

While the EU already had nine special representatives for different regions and issues, Di Maio’s appointment reflects Brussels’ desire to establish an active political presence in the Gulf.

The ten EUSRs support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

On Di Maio’s appointment, EU stated that the EUSR seeks the best ways to contribute to the stability and security of the region by engaging and supporting dialogue and long-term solutions with individual Gulf partners and relevant regional organisations. 

‘He (Maio) equally supports and cooperates with the Council and the European Commission to help ensure the consistency of the EU’s external action in the region, and contributes to increasing the visibility and understanding of the role of the EU.’

Di Maio served as Italy’s foreign minister from 2019 to 2022. He also held 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 a member of the EU Affairs Committee in Italy’s 17th legislature.