The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Commission Vice President, Catherine Ashton, selected Bernardino Leon and officially proposed that the Council appoint him as the EU's Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean Region.

Catherine Ashton underlined that Bernardino Leon is a truly excellent choice for this role because he has an enormous experience in the Southern Mediterranean Region and has an unparalleled understanding of the issues. She also added the new EUSR will have a crucial role as the EU steps up in its response to the transformations in the region.

Mr Leon is a Spanish diplomat of more than 20 years' experience. He has devoted most of his career to the Arab world. Since 2008, he has been Secretary-General at the Spanish Prime Minister's Office, acting as main foreign policy adviser to the Prime Minister. He also became Sherpa for the G20 in 2009. His main task as the new EUSR will be to enhance the EU's political dialogue with countries in the region and contribute to the EU's ambitious response to the Arab Spring.