EU Special Representatives

The European Union (EU) currently has eight Special Representatives (EUSRs) in different countries and regions of the world. The EUSRs promote the EU's policies and interests in troubled regions and countries and play an active role in efforts to consolidate peace, stability and the rule of law.

The EUSRs support the work of Catherine ASHTON, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR), in the regions concerned. They play an important role in the development of a stronger and more effective EU Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and in the Union's efforts to become a more effective, more coherent and more capable actor on the world stage. They provide the EU with an active political presence in key countries and regions, acting as a “voice” and “face” for the EU and its policies.

The eight EUSRs cover the following countries or regions: Afghanistan, the African Union, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Central Asia, Kosovo, the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, the Southern Mediterranean region and Sudan.

  • Gary Quince

    • Mr Gary Quince was appointed EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the African Union (AU) on 1 November 2011. His mandate runs until 30 June 2012. The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the EU's comprehensive policy objectives in support of African efforts to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future as set out in the Joint Africa-EU Strategy.
    Council Decisions: 2011/621/CFSP and 2011/697/CFSP

  • Alexander Rondos

    • Mr Alexander Rondos was appointed European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa on 1 January 2012. His mandate runs until 30 June 2012. The mandate of the EUST shall be based on the policy objectives of the European Union in relation to the Horn of Africa to contribute actively to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and development in the region. The EUSR shall furthermore aim to enhance the quality, intensity and impact of the EU’s multifaceted engagement in the Horn of Africa.
    Council Decision 2011/819/CFSP

  • Samuel Žbogar

    • Mr Samuel Žbogar was appointed European Union Special Representative for Kosovo on 1 February 2012. His mandate runs until 30 June 2013. In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate includes the task of offering the EU’s advice and support in the political process and promote overall Union political coordination in Kosovo.
    Council Decision 2012/39/CFSP

  • Andreas Reinicke

    • Mr Andreas Reinicke was appointed EU Special Representative for the Middle East peace process on 1 February 2012 . His mandate runs until 30 June 2013. The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the Union’s policy objectives regarding the peace process. 
    Council Decision 2012/33/CFSP

  • Vygaudas Usackas

    • Mr Vygaudas Usackas was appointed EU Special Representative (EUSR) in Afghanistan on 1 April 2010. His mandate, which runs until 30 June 2012, is to promote EU policy objectives in Afghanistan. These include contributing to 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 pivotal role played by the United Nations (UN) in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on contributing to better coordinated international assistance. More

  • Peter Sørensen

    • Mr Peter Sørensen was appointed EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 July 2011. His mandate, which runs from 1 September 2011 until 30 June 2015, is based on the following policy objectives of the Union in BiH: continued progress in the Stabilisation and Association Process, with the aim of a stable, viable, peaceful and multiethnic and united BiH, cooperating peacefully with its neighbours and irreversibly on track towards membership of the Union. The Union will also continue to support the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) in BiH. More

  • Pierre Morel

    • Mr Pierre Morel was appointed EU Special Representative for Central Asia on 5 October 2006. His mandate, which runs until 30 June 2012, is to contribute to the implementation of the EU's policy objectives in the region, which include promoting good and close relations between the countries of Central Asia and the EU; contributing to the strengthening of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and enhancing the EU's effectiveness in the region, including closer coordination with other relevant partners and international organisations, such as the OSCE. More

Mr Philippe Lefort
  • Philippe Lefort

    • Mr Philippe Lefort was appointed EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia on 1 September 2011. His mandate, which runs until 30 June 2012, is based on the policy objectives of the Union for the South Caucasus. Those objectives include, in accordance with the existing mechanisms, including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its Minsk Group, to prevent conflicts in the region, to contribute to a peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, including the crisis in Georgia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, by promoting the return of refugees and internally displaced persons and through other appropriate means, and to support the implementation of such a settlement in accordance with the principles of international law; to engage constructively with main interested actors concerning the region; to encourage and to support further cooperation between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and, as appropriate, their neighbouring countries; to enhance the Union’s effectiveness and visibility in the region. More

Mr Bernardino León
  • Bernardino León

    • Mr Bernardino León was appointed EU Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean region on 18 July 2011. His mandate, which runs until 30 June 2012 , is based on the policy objectives of the Union regarding Southern Neighbourhood. Those objectives include enhancing the Union’s political dialogue, contributing to the partnership and broader relationship with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean region; contributing to the response of the Union to the developments in the countries of the Southern Mediterranean region and, in particular, to strengthening democracy and institution building, the rule of law, good governance, respect for Human Rights and fundamental freedoms, peace and regional cooperation, including through the European Neighbourhood Policy and the Union for the Mediterranean; enhancing the European Union’s effectiveness, presence and visibility in the region and in relevant international forums. Establishing close coordination with relevant local partners and international and regional organisations such as the African Union, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the League of Arab States and the United Nations. More

  • Rosalind Marsden

    • Mrs Rosalind Marsden was appointed EU Special Representative for Sudan on 11 August 2010. Her mandate runs from 1 September 2010 until 30 June 2012 and is based on the policy objectives of the European Union in Sudan, working with the Sudanese parties, the African Union(AU) and the United Nations and other national, regional and international stakeholders to achieve a peaceful transition under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement(CPA), including the organisation of credible referenda on Abyei and on self-determination of South Sudan in January 2011. This includes actively contributing to the full and timely implementation of the CPA and post-referendum arrangements; supporting institution building and fostering stability, security and development in South Sudan irrespective of the outcome of the referendum on self-determination; improving security and facilitating a political solution to the conflict in Darfur; promoting justice, reconciliation and respect for human rights, including full cooperation with the International Criminal Court; and improving humanitarian access throughout Sudan. More

  • Former EU Representatives

    • More