Luigi Di Maio’s candidacy for the post of special envoy to the Gulf region

18.11.2022

Priority question for written answer  P-003757/2022
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Paolo Borchia (ID)

As indicated by the High Representative at the February summit between the EU and the Gulf countries, the EU is in the process of appointing a special envoy to the Gulf region, given its particular strategic importance in terms of EU energy policy.

According to the press, Luigi Di Maio is currently being considered as a candidate by the European External Action Service.

Given the complexity of diplomatic relations in the Gulf region, in addition to the implications of its geopolitical framework for the security of the Union, does the High Representative believe that Mr Di Maio fulfils the requirements of the post? Mr Di Maio has neither university qualifications nor professional foreign language skills, while his record as Deputy Prime Minister was marred by diplomatic tensions between France and Italy, with France recalling its ambassador in Rome for the first time since 1940, after Mr Di Maio paid a visit to the ‘Yellow Vest’ leader, an initiative that Paris described as an ‘unacceptable provocation’ and ‘interference’ in bilateral relations between the two EU Member States.

Submitted: 18.11.2022