The EU Foreign Affairs Council has appointed an Italian diplomat, Fernando Gentilini, as the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process.
‘’The tasks of the Special Representative are to contribute to actions and initiatives leading to a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two state solution,’’ an EU Council statement said, adding that he will ‘’ facilitate contact between the parties and contribute to setting up a possible new framework for negotiations.’’
Fernando Gentilini, the former director for Western Europe, Western Balkans and Turkey for the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s foreign service, has an extensive career in foreign affairs. From May 2011 to January 2012, he was EU Special Representative in Kosovo.
Gentilini, who has been proposed by EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, will take up his duties immediately and is initially appointed until 30 April 2016.
Mogherini has said the appointment of a EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process ''underlines the EU's determination to step up engagement in the process'' as the EU is looking to work towards the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks.
Gentilini's role would be different from that of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who served since 2007 as special envoy for the Quartet of the EU, UN, US and Russia with a special focus on cooperation and development.
Blair has recently been quoted as saying he might wish to ‘’recast” his role while remaining involved in the peace process.