----

            COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2006/124/CFSP

of 20 February 2006         

extending the mandate of the Special Representative of the European Union for Afghanistan

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in particular, Articles 14, 18(5) and 23(2) thereof,

Whereas:

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The mandate of Mr Francesc VENDRELL as the EUSR in Afghanistan is hereby extended until 28 February 2007.

Article 2

The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the policy objectives of the EU in Afghanistan. In particular the EUSR shall:

Article 3

In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate of the EUSR shall be to:

Article 4

1.   The EUSR shall be responsible for the implementation of the mandate acting under the authority and operational direction of the SG/HR. The EUSR shall be accountable to the Commission for all expenditure.

2.   The Political and Security Committee (PSC) shall maintain a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the primary point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide strategic guidance and political input to the EUSR within the framework of the mandate.

Article 5

1.   The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the mandate of the EUSR shall be EUR 1 330 000.

2.   The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union with the exception that any pre-financing shall not remain the property of the Community.

3.   The management of the expenditure shall be subject to a contract between the EUSR and the Commission. Expenditure shall be eligible as from 1 March 2006.

4.   The Presidency, Commission, and/or Member States, as appropriate, will provide logistical support in the region.

Article 6

1.   Within the limits of his mandate and the corresponding financial means made available, the EUSR is responsible for constituting his team in consultation with the Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR, and in full association with the Commission. The EUSR shall inform the Presidency and the Commission of the final composition of his team.

2.   Member States and institutions of the EU may propose the secondment of staff to work with the EUSR. The remuneration of personnel who might be seconded by a Member State or an institution of the EU to the EUSR shall be covered by the Member State or the institution of the EU concerned respectively.

3.   All A-type posts which are not covered by secondment will be advertised as appropriate by the General Secretariat of the Council and also notified to Member States and institutions of the EU in order to recruit the best-qualified applicants.

4.   The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the EUSR and the members of his staff shall be defined with the parties. Member States and the Commission shall grant all necessary support to such effect.

Article 7

As a rule, the EUSR will report in person to the SG/HR and to the PSC and may report also to the relevant Working Group. Regular written reports will be circulated to the SG/HR, Council and Commission. The EUSR may report to the General Affairs and External Relations Council on the recommendation of the SG/HR and the PSC.

Article 8

To ensure the consistency of the external action of the EU, the activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated with those of the SG/HR, the Presidency and the Commission. The EUSR shall provide regular briefings to Member States’ missions and Commission delegations. In the field, close liaison shall be maintained with the Presidency, the Commission and Heads of Mission who shall make best efforts to assist the EUSR in the implementation of the mandate. The EUSR shall also liaise with other international and regional actors in the field.

Article 9

The implementation of this Joint Action and its consistency with other contributions from the EU to the region shall be kept under regular review. The EUSR shall present to the SG/HR, Council and Commission a progress report before the end of June 2006 and a comprehensive mandate implementation report by mid-November 2006. These reports shall form a basis for evaluation of this Joint Action in the relevant Working Groups and by the PSC. In the context of overall priorities for deployment, the SG/HR shall make recommendations to the PSC concerning the Council’s decision on renewal, amendment or termination of the mandate.

Article 10

This Joint Action shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall apply as from 1 March 2006.

Article 11

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 20 February 2006.

For the Council

The President

J. PRÖLL            

----

(1)OJ L 326, 13.12.2003, p. 41. Joint Action as last amended by Joint Action 2005/585/CFSP (OJ L 199, 29.7.2005, p. 96).

----