DUSHANBE, March 17, 2015, Asia-Plus – European Union Foreign Ministers have appointed a new special envoy for Central Asia.
Peter Burian, a senior official in the Slovak Foreign Ministry, has been proposed as EU Special Representative to Central Asia for an initial period of one year, with the task of ensuring continued EU high-level engagement in the region.
Mr. Burian, 55, is currently State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. He is a former ambassador of the Slovak Republic to NATO, to the United States and to the United Nations.
“The appointment of Peter Burian will show the EU”s continued cooperation with Central Asia, ensuring strong presence in our engagement on key issues of mutual interest including the rule of law, security, energy, water, education and human rights. Central Asia is a strategic area. The EU also intends to continue to support the transition of neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, where much remains to be done in securing the democratic path,” EU foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini noted in her statement.
Mr. Burian takes over in the role of EUSR from Janos Herman, appointed Special Envoy to the region in 2014 following the resignation of EUSR Patricia Flor, according to press release on March 16 from Mogherini’s office.
Peter Burian’s nomination must still be approved by the European Council.
The European Union (EU) has 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 the High Representative 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.
