LONDON 

The EU on Monday appointed former Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio to be their special envoy to the Gulf region.

"The tasks of the new EU Special Representative will be to further develop a stronger, comprehensive and more strategic EU partnership with the countries in the Gulf region by supporting the High Representative (EU foreign policy chief Joep Borrell) in the implementation of the foreign policy," said a statement from the EU Council.

Di Maio will start his duties on June 1, with an initial mandate of 21 months.

EU special representatives are nominated by Borrell to advance the EU's policies and interests in specific regions and countries.