European Union Special Representative

The European Union Special Representatives are emissaries of the European Union with specific tasks abroad. They serve as the eyes and ears of the European Union, promote democracy and good governance, and generally represent the European Union in a specific region.

Currently, they are funded and coordinated by the High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, in the person of Javier Solana.

List of European Union Special Representatives

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Miroslav Lajčák was appointed EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 June 2007. Previously the post was held by Lord Paddy Ashdown and then Christian Schwarz-Schilling.

Central Asia

Pierre Morel was appointed EU Special Representative for Central Asia on 5 October 2006. He is to promote good and close relations between the countries of Central Asia and the EU, contributing to strengthening of democracy, rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Central Asia. He is also considered the eyes and ears of the European Union in the region, coordinating with other relevant partners and international organizations, such as the OSCE.

Sudan

Torben Brylle is EU Special Representative for Sudan from 1 May 2007. Previously it was Pekka Haavisto who was appointed on 18 July 2005. His mandate covers efforts to achieve a political settlement of the Darfur conflict, to help the implementation of the peace agreement in the Second Sudanese Civil War and to promote dialogue between the ethnic groups concerned. He is to respect the principle of African ownership, and thus defers to the African Union. He will also facilitate the European contribution to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS I).

Moldova

Kálmán Mizsei was appointed EU Special Representative for Moldova on 15 February 2007. His role is to strengthen the EU contribution to the resolution of the Transnistria conflict in close coordination with the OSCE. He is to facilitate the border control recently started by the EU.

Republic of Macedonia

Erwan Fouéré was appointed EU Special Representative in Republic of Macedonia on 17 October 2005. His mandate is to contribute to the consolidation of the peaceful political process and the full implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, thereby facilitating further progress towards European integration through the Stabilisation and Association Process.

Middle East

Marc Otte was appointed EU Special Representative for the Middle East peace process on 14 July 2003. 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, 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.

South Caucasus

Peter Semneby was appointed EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus on 20 February 2006, taking over from Heikki Talvitie who was Special Representative from 7 July 2003. The EUSR will contribute to the implementation of the EU's policy objectives, which include assisting the countries of the South Caucasus in carrying out political and economic reforms, preventing and assisting in the resolution of conflicts, promoting the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, engaging constructively with key national actors neighbouring the region, supporting intra-regional co-operation and ensuring co-ordination, consistency and effectiveness of the EU's action in the South Caucasus. The EUSR will support the work of High Representative Solana in the region.

Afghanistan

Francesc Vendrell was appointed EU Special Representative in Afghanistan on 25 June 2002. His mandate is to contribute, through close liaison with and support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Brahmini, to achieving the implementation of the Union's policy in Afghanistan.

Great Lakes region

Roeland van de Geer was appointed EU Special Representative for the African Great Lakes Region on 14 February 2007.

Kosovo

Pieter Feith was appointed as European Union Special Representative in Kosovo for the period from February 2008 to 28 February 2009.

External links

* [http://ue.eu.int/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=263&lang=EN Official list of EU Special Representatives]