European Union Special Representative
Encyclopedia
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 Catherine Ashton.
was appointed Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina
on 11 March 2009. Previously the post, set up in 2002, was held by Lord (Paddy) Ashdown
, Christian Schwarz-Schilling
and Miroslav Lajčák
. His mandate is based on the policy objectives of the EU in BiH, which centre on continued progress in the Dayton Peace Agreement implementation, in accordance with the Office of the High Representative's Mission Implementation Plan, and the Stabilisation and Association Process, aiming at a stable, viable, peaceful and multi-ethnic BiH, cooperating peacefully with its neighbours and irreversibly on track towards EU membership.
The post coincides today with the one of International High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
, set up in 1995 immediately after the Dayton Peace Agreement to oversee its civilian implementation.
Peter Sørensen
will take over the position of EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina as from September 2011. His post should be de-coupled from the one of OHR
(which will remain in the hands of Valentin Inzko
), and aiming at fostering the EU pre-accession strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
for the period from 1 May 2011 to 30 September 2011. The International Steering Group for Kosovo
(ISG) appoints the EUSR in Kosovo as the International Civilian Representative for Kosovo
(ICR) pursuant to the Ahtisaari Plan
. As the ICR, the EUSR for Kosovo is the "final authority in Kosovo regarding interpretation" of the Ahtisaari Plan and has the "ability to annul decisions or laws adopted by Kosovo authorities and sanction and remove public officials whose actions he/she determines to be inconsistent" with the Ahtisaari Plan.
crisis on 25 September 2008, up until 31 August 2011. His mandate is to help prepare for the international talks to be held under the settlement plan of 12 August 2008, to help establish and represent the EU's position at these talks and to facilitate the implementation of the agreement of 8 August 2008 concluded in Moscow and Tbilisi and of the agreement of 12 August.
was appointed European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Afghanistan
from 1 April 2010. His mandate is to contribute, through close liaison with and support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Brahmini, to achieving the implementation of the Union's policy in Afghanistan, which includes the implementation of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration; leading the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it concerns Afghanistan, thereby working with EU Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan; and supporting the role of the United Nations
in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on contributing to better coordinated international assistance.
on 5 October 2006, up until 30 June 2012. 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.
was appointed 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.
is the Special Representative, and head of the Commission delegation, to the African Union
. He was appointed on 6 December 2007. The EUSR is based in Addis Ababa
, and his mandate runs until 31 August 2011.http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1873&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
region on 14 February 2007, up until 31 August 2011. His mandate is to focus on stabilisation in the African Great Lakes countries, and particularly on the post-transition phase in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with particular emphasis on the security sector reform
and the fostering of democratic institutions. Another important aspect of his work is the consolidation of the democratic process in Burundi
as well as ensuring constructive cooperation with Uganda and Rwanda
in regional matters.
, formerly UK ambassador to Sudan, is Special Representative for Sudan from 1 September 2010, in particularly dealing with the issue of the independence of Southern Sudan. 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).
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
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
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is the main co-ordinator and representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy within the European Union...
, currently Catherine Ashton.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Valentin InzkoValentin Inzko
Valentin Inzko is an Austrian diplomat of Carinthian Slovene origin. He is currently serving as the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, a role which he assumed on March 26, 2009. He is at the same time the European Union Special Representative for Bosnia and...
was appointed Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
on 11 March 2009. Previously the post, set up in 2002, was held by Lord (Paddy) Ashdown
Paddy Ashdown
Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon, GCMG, KBE, PC , usually known as Paddy Ashdown, is a British politician and diplomat....
, Christian Schwarz-Schilling
Christian Schwarz-Schilling
Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling , is a German politician and entrepreneur. He is the son of the composer Reinhard Schwarz-Schilling and is married to the author Marie-Luise Schwarz-Schilling with whom he has two children...
and Miroslav Lajčák
Miroslav Lajcák
Dr. Miroslav Lajčák is a Slovak diplomat.Lajčák is a law graduate from the Comenius University in Bratislava. He holds a Ph.D. in international relations from the State Institute of International Relations in Moscow and is also a graduate of the George C...
. His mandate is based on the policy objectives of the EU in BiH, which centre on continued progress in the Dayton Peace Agreement implementation, in accordance with the Office of the High Representative's Mission Implementation Plan, and the Stabilisation and Association Process, aiming at a stable, viable, peaceful and multi-ethnic BiH, cooperating peacefully with its neighbours and irreversibly on track towards EU membership.
The post coincides today with the one of International High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was created in 1995 immediately after the Dayton Peace Agreement to oversee the civilian implementation of this agreement. The High Representative and the OHR represent the...
, set up in 1995 immediately after the Dayton Peace Agreement to oversee its civilian implementation.
Peter Sørensen
Peter Sørensen (politician)
Peter Sørensen is the European Union Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina.-Career:A native of Denmark, Sørensen previously served as a legal advisor to High Representative Carl Bildt. Prior to his appointment to Bosnia and Herzegovina, he had served as High Representative from Macedonia...
will take over the position of EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina as from September 2011. His post should be de-coupled from the one of OHR
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina
The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was created in 1995 immediately after the Dayton Peace Agreement to oversee the civilian implementation of this agreement. The High Representative and the OHR represent the...
(which will remain in the hands of Valentin Inzko
Valentin Inzko
Valentin Inzko is an Austrian diplomat of Carinthian Slovene origin. He is currently serving as the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, a role which he assumed on March 26, 2009. He is at the same time the European Union Special Representative for Bosnia and...
), and aiming at fostering the EU pre-accession strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Kosovo
Fernando Gentilini was appointed as Special Representative in KosovoKosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
for the period from 1 May 2011 to 30 September 2011. The International Steering Group for Kosovo
International Steering Group for Kosovo
The International Steering Group for Kosovo is an organization formed pursuant to the Ahtisaari Plan concerning the Kosovo status process...
(ISG) appoints the EUSR in Kosovo as the International Civilian Representative for Kosovo
International Civilian Representative for Kosovo
The International Civilian Representative for Kosovo , supported by the International Civilian Office , is the European Union Special Representative for Kosovo appointed by the Council of the European Union which is re-appointed by the International Steering Group for Kosovo as the ICR pursuant to...
(ICR) pursuant to the Ahtisaari Plan
Ahtisaari Plan
The Ahtisaari Plan, formally the Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement , is a status settlement proposal covering a wide range of issues related to the Kosovo status process for kosovo....
. As the ICR, the EUSR for Kosovo is the "final authority in Kosovo regarding interpretation" of the Ahtisaari Plan and has the "ability to annul decisions or laws adopted by Kosovo authorities and sanction and remove public officials whose actions he/she determines to be inconsistent" with the Ahtisaari Plan.
Georgia crisis
Pierre Morel, already EUSR for Central Asia, was appointed Special Representative for the GeorgiaGeorgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
crisis on 25 September 2008, up until 31 August 2011. His mandate is to help prepare for the international talks to be held under the settlement plan of 12 August 2008, to help establish and represent the EU's position at these talks and to facilitate the implementation of the agreement of 8 August 2008 concluded in Moscow and Tbilisi and of the agreement of 12 August.
Afghanistan
Vygaudas UsackasVygaudas Ušackas
Vygaudas Ušackas is a Lithuanian diplomat, currently appointed as the European Union's special representative and the head of EU mission for Afghanistan...
was appointed European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
from 1 April 2010. His mandate is to contribute, through close liaison with and support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Brahmini, to achieving the implementation of the Union's policy in Afghanistan, which includes the implementation of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration; leading the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it concerns Afghanistan, thereby working with EU Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan; and supporting the role of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on contributing to better coordinated international assistance.
Central Asia
Pierre Morel was appointed Special Representative for Central AsiaCentral Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
on 5 October 2006, up until 30 June 2012. He is to promote good and close relations between the countries of Central Asia and the EU, contributing to strengthening of democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
, rule of law
Rule of law
The rule of law, sometimes called supremacy of law, is a legal maxim that says that governmental decisions should be made by applying known principles or laws with minimal discretion in their application...
, good governance
Good governance
Good governance is an indeterminate term used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights. Governance describes "the process of decision-making and the process by which...
and respect for human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
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.
Middle East
Marc OtteMarc Otte
Marc Otte is the European Union's Special Representative to the Middle East peace process.-Biography:Otte holds an MA in Political and Social Sciences, from the University of Leuven, 1969, and did post-graduate work at the university's Institute for Developing Countries...
was appointed Special Representative for the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far 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
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
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
United Nations Security Council Resolution 242
United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 was adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council on November 22, 1967, in the aftermath of the Six Day War. It was adopted under Chapter VIof the United Nations Charter...
, 338
United Nations Security Council Resolution 338
The three-line United Nations Security Council Resolution 338, adopted on October 22, 1973, called for a ceasefire in the Yom Kippur War in accordance with a joint proposal by the United States and the Soviet Union. The resolution stipulated a cease fire to take effect within 12 hours of the...
, 1397
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397, adopted on March 12, 2002, after recalling resolutions 242 and 338 , the Council demanded an end to violence during the Second Intifada between the Israeli and Palestinian sides...
and 1402
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1402
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1402, adopted on March 30, 2002, after recalling resolutions 242 , 338 , 1397 and the Madrid principles, the Council called for an immediate and meaningful ceasefire between the Israeli and Palestinian during Operation Defensive Shield...
and the principles of the Madrid Conference.
African Union
Koen VervaekeKoen Vervaeke
Koen Vervaeke is a Belgian diplomat and since 6 December 2007 the first European Union’s ambassador as Special Representative and Head of the European Commission delegation to the African Union in Addis Abeba...
is the Special Representative, and head of the Commission delegation, to the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
. He was appointed on 6 December 2007. The EUSR is based in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
, and his mandate runs until 31 August 2011.http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1873&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Great Lakes region
Roeland van de Geer was appointed Special Representative for the African Great LakesAfrican Great Lakes
The African Great Lakes are a series of lakes and the Rift Valley lakes in and around the geographic Great Rift Valley formed by the action of the tectonic East African Rift on the continent of Africa...
region on 14 February 2007, up until 31 August 2011. His mandate is to focus on stabilisation in the African Great Lakes countries, and particularly on the post-transition phase in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with particular emphasis on the security sector reform
Security sector reform
Security Sector Reform is a concept to reform or rebuild a state's security sector that emerged first in the 1990s in Eastern Europe. It starts where a dysfunctional security sector is unable to provide security to the state and its people effectively and under democratic principles. Even worse,...
and the fostering of democratic institutions. Another important aspect of his work is the consolidation of the democratic process in Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
as well as ensuring constructive cooperation with Uganda and Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
in regional matters.
Sudan
Rosalind MarsdenRosalind Marsden
Dame Rosalind Mary Marsden, DCMG is a British diplomat and public servant. Her most recent posting was as Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of the Sudan, on 30 April 2007, succeeding Ian Cliff...
, formerly UK ambassador to Sudan, is Special Representative for Sudan from 1 September 2010, in particularly dealing with the issue of the independence of Southern Sudan. His mandate covers efforts to achieve a political settlement of the Darfur conflict
Darfur conflict
The Darfur Conflict was a guerrilla conflict or civil war centered on the Darfur region of Sudan. It began in February 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and Justice and Equality Movement groups in Darfur took up arms, accusing the Sudanese government of oppressing non-Arab Sudanese in...
, to help the implementation of the peace agreement in the Second Sudanese Civil War
Second Sudanese Civil War
The Second Sudanese Civil War started in 1983, although it was largely a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil War of 1955 to 1972. Although it originated in southern Sudan, the civil war spread to the Nuba mountains and Blue Nile by the end of the 1980s....
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
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
. He will also facilitate the European contribution to the African Union Mission in Sudan
African Union Mission in Sudan
The African Union Mission in Sudan was an African Union peacekeeping force operating primarily in the country's western region of Darfur with the aim of performing peacekeeping operations related to the Darfur conflict. Originally founded in 2004, with a force of 150 troops, by mid-2005, its...
(AMIS I).
Previous SRs
Below table is based on official sources but some data may be missing. Dates may conflict due to official sources citing dates of appointment rather than dates of handover.| Country | Representative(s) | Term(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Klaus Peter Klaiber | 10 December 2001 |
| Francesc Vendrell | 25 June 2002 until 28 February 2009 | |
| Ettore Francesco Sequi | 24 July 2008 until 31 March 2010 | |
| African Great Lakes Region | Aldo Ajello | 25 March 1996 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Lord Ashdown Lord Ashdown Lord Ashdown can refer to:*Arnold Silverstone, Baron Ashdown *Paddy Ashdown , Baron Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon... |
11 March 2002 |
| Christian Schwarz-Schilling | 30 January 2006 until 30 June 2007, | |
| Miroslav Lajcák | 18 June 2007 28 February 2009, | |
| Central Asia | Ján Kubiš | 18 July 2005 |
| Kosovo | Wolfgang Petritsch | 30 March 1999 to 29 July 1999 |
| Pieter Feith | 4 February 2008 until 30 April 2011 | |
| Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) |
François Léotard | 29 June 2001 29 October 2001. |
| Alain Le Roy | 29 October 2001 until 28 February 2002. | |
| Alexis Brouhns | 30 September 2002 | |
| Søren Jessen-Petersen | 26 January 2004 | |
| Michael Sahlin | 12 July 2004 | |
| Erwan Fouéré | 17 October 2005 until 31 August 2011 | |
| Middle East peace process | Miguel Ángel Moratinos | 25 November 1996 |
| Marc Otte | 14 July 2003 until 28 February 2011 | |
| Moldova | Adriaan Jacobovits de Szeged | 23 March 2005 |
| Kálmán Mizsei | 15 February 2007 until 28 February 2011 | |
| South Caucasus | Heikki Talvitie | 7 July 2003 |
| Peter Semneby | 20 February 2006 until 28 February 2011 | |
| South East Europe | Panagiotis Roumeliotis | 31 May 1999 |
| Bodo Hombach | 29 July 1999 | |
| Erhard Busek | 19 December 2001 | |
| Sudan | Torben Brylle | 19 April 2007 until 31 August 2010 |
| Pekka Haavisto Pekka Haavisto Pekka Haavisto is a Finnish politician representing the Green League. He was re-elected to the Finnish Parliament in the Finnish parliamentary election of March 2007 after an absence of 12 years. He is also a member of the Helsinki City Council.Haavisto was a member of the Parliament of Finland... |
18 July 2005 until 30 April 2007 | |
| Yugoslavia | Felipe González | 8 June 1998 until 11 October 1999 |
External links
- Official list of 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