By Xinhua,
Brussels : The European Council has appointed Italy’s ambassador to Kabul Ettore Francesco Sequi as the new European Union (EU) special representative (EUSR) for Afghanistan.
Sequi is to succeed Francesc Vendrell, who acted as the EUSR since June 2002. The EU has had a special representative for Afghanistan since December 2001.
Sequi’s mandate, which starts Sep 1, includes establishing close contact with the Afghan government, international and regional organisations, as well as local representatives of the UN.
He would also keep close contact with neighbouring countries.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana welcomed his appointment Thursday here, saying, “Sequi’s role will be to take forward the implementation of the EU policy in Afghanistan.”