Mr Luigi DI MAIO is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Gulf region from 1 June 2023 until 28 February 2025. The Council may decide that the mandate of the EUSR be terminated earlier, on the basis of an assessment by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/963 of 15 May 2023 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Gulf region
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/963 of 15 May 2023 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Gulf region
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 33 and Article 31(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
On 18 May 2022, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy adopted a Joint Communication to the European Parliament and to the Council on a strategic partnership with the Gulf. This was followed by the Council conclusions of 20 June 2022.
A European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Gulf region should be appointed for a period of 21 months.
The Council and the Commission, assisted by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, should ensure consistency between the different areas of the Union’s external action in the Gulf region and should cooperate closely to that effect. The EUSR will support and cooperate with the institutions in this respect.
The EUSR is to implement the mandate in the context of a situation, which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1 European Union Special Representative
Article 2 Policy objectives
The mandate of the EUSR shall be consistent with the Union’s foreign policy objectives in the Gulf region. Those objectives include:
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safeguarding the Union’s fundamental interests and security in the Gulf region;
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promoting good and close relations between the Union and the countries of the Gulf region on the basis of common values and interests;
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building a stronger, comprehensive and more strategic partnership with the countries in the Gulf region to enhance prosperity and security;
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contributing to stability and security in the Gulf region by promoting de-escalation of tensions and supporting dialogue and long-term regional solutions in the Gulf region.
Article 3 Mandate
In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate of the EUSR shall be to:
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support the HR, together with the European External Action Service (EEAS), in the implementation of the foreign policy and security aspects of the 18 May 2022 Joint Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the Gulf and the related Council conclusions of 20 June 2022;
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contribute through diplomatic channels to the preservation of peace and the prevention of conflicts in the region, as well as the mitigation of their potential effects, in particular by addressing common threats such as terrorism, climate change, environmental degradation or energy insecurity;
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help to ensure consistency of the Union’s external action and promote the Union’s priorities, values and interests in the region;
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contribute to a better understanding of the role of the Union and its visibility in the region, help to address disinformation and to build stronger people-to-people contacts;
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to strengthen contacts with the Gulf region partners individually, but also by liaising, where required, with relevant regional organisations like the Gulf Cooperation Council, the League of Arab States and other relevant organisations at the EUSR’s level;
Article 4 Implementation of the mandate
1.
The EUSR shall be responsible for the implementation of the mandate, acting under the authority of the HR.
2.
The PSC shall maintain a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the EUSR’s primary point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide the EUSR with strategic guidance and political direction within the framework of the mandate, without prejudice to the powers of the HR.
3.
The EUSR shall work in close coordination with the relevant departments of the EEAS.
4.
The EUSR shall work in close coordination with Union Delegations in the region.
5.
The EUSR shall be based in the EEAS headquarters, traveling regularly to the region.