Emissary of the European Union
The European Union Special Representatives (EUSR) are emissaries of the European Union with specific tasks abroad. While the EU's ambassadors are responsible for affairs with a single country, Special Representatives tackle specific issues, conflict areas or regions of countries. They answer directly to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, currently Josep Borrell.
Current SRs by region
Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Peter Sørensen took over the position of EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a mandate from 1 September 2011 until 30 June 2015.[1] His post was de-coupled from the one of High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (which remained in the hands of Valentin Inzko), aiming at fostering the EU pre-accession strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.[2] However, in November 2014, Sørensen became Head of the EU Delegation in Geneva, leaving the EUSR BiH post vacant.[3] Lars-Gunnar Wigemark was appointed as the EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1 March 2015 until 31 October 2015.[4] His mandate was extended until 30 June 2018[5] and again until 31 August 2019.[6] Johann Sattler replaced him in 2019, with a mandate from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2023.[7] His mandate was extended until 31 August 2024.[8] Luigi Soreca is the current Special Representative, serving since 1 September 2024.[9]
Kosovo
Tomáš Szunyog was appointed as Special Representative in Kosovo on 30 July 2020.[10] His mandate runs from 1 September 2020 until 31 August 2023.[11] His mandate was extended until 31 August 2024.[12]
South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia
Toivo Klaar was appointed Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia on 13 November 2017. His mandate was extended until 29 February 2020,[13] and again until 28 February 2021.[14] His mandate was again extended until 28 February 2022,[15] and then again until 31 August 2022,[16] and then again until 31 August 2023.[17] and then until 31 August 2024.[18]
Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues
On 3 April 2020, Miroslav Lajčák was appointed by the EU Council as Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues. His 12-month mandate includes the tasks to achieve comprehensive normalisation of the relations between Serbia and Kosovo, improve good neighbourly relations and reconciliation between partners in the Western Balkans, helping them overcome the legacy of the past, and contribute to the consistency and effectiveness of EU action in the Western Balkans.[19] His mandate runs from 2 April 2020 until 31 August 2022.[20] His mandate was renewed until 31 August 2024.[21]
Asia
Central Asia
Terhi Hakala is the Special Representative for Central Asia.[22] Her mandate is to promote good relations between the EU and central Asian countries and to strengthen stability, cooperation, democracy and respect for human rights in the region. In particular, the EU Special Representative will co-ordinate EU action in central Asia and oversee the implementation of the EU Strategy for central Asia. Her mandate runs from 1 July 2021 to 28 February 2023. Her mandate was extended to 28 February 2025.[23]
Gulf
On 1 June 2023, Luigi Di Maio, former Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, was appointed Special Representative of the European Union for the Persian Gulf.[24] His aims will be to further develop a stronger, comprehensive and more strategic EU partnership with the countries in the Gulf region. He will also 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.[25] His mandare runs until 28 February 2025.[26]
Middle East
Sven Koopmans has been appointed Special Representative for the Middle East peace process. His mandate runs from 1 May 2021 until 28 February 2023.[27] Between 2017 and 2021 "he was a Member of Parliament in the Netherlands, where he was spokesperson on foreign affairs and head of delegation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly."[28] The mandate of the Special Representative is based on the EU's policy objectives regarding the Middle East peace process, which include a two-State solution with Israel and a democratic, contiguous, viable, peaceful and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side within secure and recognised borders enjoying normal relations with their neighbours in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1402 and the principles of the Madrid Conference. His mandate was extended until 28 February 2025.[29]
Africa
Horn of Africa (incl. the region of Sudan)
Annette Weber was appointed Special Representative for the Horn of Africa on 1 July 2021.[30] Her mandate runs until 31 August 2022.[31] Her mandate was extended until 31 August 2024.[32]
Sahel
Emanuela Del Re was appointed as the Special Representative for the Sahel on 21 June 2021.[33] Her mandate runs from 1 July 2021 until 31 August 2022.[34] Her mandate was renewed until 31 August 2024.[35]
Global
Human Rights
A long-standing request[36] for a representative that would be in charge of enhancing the effectiveness and visibility of EU's human rights policy, based on the Strategic Framework and Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (officially adopted on 25 June 2012),[37] led to the creation of the post of the Special Representative of the European Union for Human Rights. The post, which is providing a strong, independent, flexible and sufficiently broad mandate, is aiming to cover fields such as the strengthening of democracy, International justice, humanitarian law and the abolition of the death penalty.
On 26 February 2024, Olof Skoog was appointed as the European Union Special Representative for human rights, with a mandate from 1 March 2024 until 28 February 2026.[38]
Previous SRs
The table below is based on official sources provided by the EU.[39][permanent dead link][40][not specific enough to verify]
References
- ^ COUNCIL DECISION 2011/426/CFSP of 18 July 2011 appointing the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- ^ "Inzko welcomes nomination of Peter Sørenesen as Head of EU Delegation". BH-news. 30 May 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "High Representative Catherine Ashton appoints six new Heads of EU Delegation to Japan, UN Geneva, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mozambique, and the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu." EEAS press release. Retrieved 2014-12-04
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/970 of 22 June 2015 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/380 of 3 March 2017 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP)
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/908 of 25 June 2018 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1193 of 19 July 2021 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/1340
- ^ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023D1516&qid=1710976648153 [bare URL]
- ^ "Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/2081 of 26 July 2024 appointing the European Union Special Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina". 26 July 2024.
- ^ "Kosovo: Tomáš Szunyog appointed as new EU Special Representative". Council of the European Union (Press release). 30 July 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1194 of 19 July 2021 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.) and amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1135
- ^ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023D1527&qid=1710976648153 [bare URL]
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 of 25 June 2018 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/254 of 25 February 2020 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/285 of 22 February 2021 amending decision (CFSP) 2018/907 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/251 of 21 February 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1237 of 18 July 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia
- ^ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023D1528&qid=1710976648153 [bare URL]
- ^ "Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue: EU appoints a new Special Representative". Council of the European Union (Press release). 3 April 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/470 of 18 March 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/489 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1240 of 18 July 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/489 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues
- ^ "Council appoints three new EU special representatives for the Sahel, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa". Council of the European Union (Press release). 21 June 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/260 of 6 February 2023 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia and amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1013
- ^ Via libera del Consiglio Ue a Di Maio inviato nel Golfo. Il Sole 24 Ore
- ^ EU appoints a new Special Representative for the Gulf region. European Council
- ^ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023D0963&qid=1710976648153 [bare URL]
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/710 of 29 April 2021 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process
- ^ "New EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process appointed". EU. 29 April 2021.
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/258 of 6 February 2023 extending the mandate of European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process and amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/710
- ^ "Council appoints three new EU special representatives for the Sahel, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa". Council of the European Union (Press release). 21 June 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012 of 21 June 2021 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1238 of 18 July 2022 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1012
- ^ "Council appoints three new EU special representatives for the Sahel, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa". Council of the European Union (Press release). 21 June 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/1011 of 21 June 2021 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1239 of 18 July 2022 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel and amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1011
- ^ "Former MEP chosen as EU's new human rights envoy". theparliament.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012.
- ^ "EU appoints Human Rights chief". 26 July 2012.
- ^ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024D0758&qid=1710976648153 [bare URL]
- ^ "About the European External Action Service (EEAS)". EEAS.
- ^ "EUR-Lex – Access to European Union law – choose your language". eur-lex.europa.eu.
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1338 of 4 August 2016 amending Decision (CFSP) 2015/2052 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.)
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/348 of 27 February 2017 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244(1999) and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.)
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/903 of 25 June 2018 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.)
- ^ Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/249 of 25 February 2020 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/903 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 (1999) and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
External links
- Official list of EU Special Representatives Archived 29 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- Official list of current EU Special Representatives
- Official list of former EU Special Representatives
- Exploring EU Foreign Policy, the EUSR, Leuven Catholic University
- Giovanni Grevi, The EU Special Representatives, Chaillot Paper nb. 106, Institute for Security Studies of the European Union, Paris, 2007
- Cornelius Adebahr, Working inside out: what role for Special Envoys in the European External Action Service?, EPC Policy Brief, January 2011
- Dominik Tolksdorf, The Role of EU Special Representatives in the post-Lisbon foreign policy system: A renaissance?, IES Policy Brief, Brussels, June 2012