(BRUSSELS) - The European Union named on Thursday Italy's ambassador to Kabul as the 27-nation bloc's special representative in the country.

Ettore Sequi, Italy's ambassador in Afghanistan since December 2004, will replace on September 1 Spaniard Francesc Vendrell, who has been the EU's special representative in the country since June 2002.

"Ambassador Sequi's role will be to take forward the implementation of EU policy in Afghanistan, which is based on our commitment for long-term support for the people and government of Afghanistan," EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said in a statement.

In his new position, Sequi will be responsible in particular for maintaining close contact between the EU, the United Nations, NATO and the Afghan government.

He is also to provide "local political guidance" to EU police mission in the country, which trains Afghan officers and is due to be prolonged.

Sequi, 51, has held posts as an Italian diplomat in Tehran and Tirana and studied Islam at university.

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