Brussels, 30/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Spanish diplomat Bernardino Leon has been named new EU Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean region, as the European Union seeks to respond to the Arab uprisings in northern Africa and the Middle East. “With the momentous changes going on in the Southern Mediterranean, the new EUSR will have a crucial role as the EU steps up in its response to the transformations in the region”, High Representative Catherine Ashton said on 29 June. “Bernardino Leon is a truly excellent choice for this role. He has enormous experience in the region and has an unparalleled understanding of the issues”. Leon has dedicated much of his more than 20-year diplomatic career to the Arab world and has been top foreign policy adviser to the Spanish prime minister since 2008. (LoC)