European Union Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean Region

Bernardino León started his diplomatic career in Spain in 1990, and held several posts at the Spanish embassies in Liberia and Algeria, as well as the Permanent Representation to the European Union, in Belgium. Later he became advisor to the Special Envoy of the European Union for the Middle East.

In 2004, he was appointed State Secretary (Vice-minister) of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mainly dealing with South America. Since 2008, he has been Secretary General at the Spanish Prime Minister's Office, acting as main foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister José Luis Zapatero. In 2009, he also became Sherpa for the G20.

Bernardino León holds a master's degree in Law from the University of Málaga, and a master's degree in International Relations, from the Centre of International Studies, in Barcelona.