NATO said on Tuesday it has appointed a special representative for the defence alliance’s “southern neighbourhood,” comprising the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel. The new envoy is Javier Colomina, who served previously as NATO’s special representative in the Caucasus and Central Asia. NATO member Spain also has some territory in North Africa, including Melilla and Ceuta. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement that “the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel regions are important to our alliance.”Javier Colomina has extensive experience in dealing with NATO partners. At a summit in Washington earlier this month, NATO leaders agreed on a plan to include the appointment of a special representative.
