Former Italian Foreign Minister and ex leader of the Five Star Movement (M5S) Luigi Di Maio has been indicated as European Union Special Representative for the Gulf, sources said on Sunday.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, indicated Di Maio for the post in a letter to the 27 member states.
"Following very careful deliberation, I consider that the best-suited candidate is Mr Luigi Di Maio," wrote Borrell.
"As former foreign minister of Italy, Mr Luigi Di Maio has the necessary political profile at the international level for this role," he added.
Di Maio's "broad contacts" with Gulf countries "will allow him to engage with the relevant actors at the appropriate level," continued Borrell.
"We have to maintain the momentum of our enhanced engagement with the Gulf. I therefore count on your support to Mr Di Maio in implementing our strategic partnership with Gulf partners," he added, proposing the appointment of Di Maio as EU Special Representative for the Gulf "for an initial period of 21 months", starting on June 1, 2023 until February 28, 2025.
The letter marks the start of the selection phase and, according to sources close to the dossier, ratification of Di Maio's appointment is not expected to take place at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday.
Ratification must be endorsed by all 27 member states.
On Sunday the right-wing League described the choice as "shameful".
"Italians have voted: they have chosen and continue to choose the center-right, not the left or grillini (the M5S, the party founded by former comedian Beppe Grillo to which Di Maio once belonged)," League sources said.
"The indication from Brussels is shameful, an insult to Italy and to thousands of good diplomats," the sources added.
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