COUNCIL DECISION
of 25 September 1995
supplementing Decision 94/276/CFSP on a joint action adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union, in support of the Middle East peace process, concerning the observation of elections to the Palestinian Council and the coordination of the international operation for observing the elections
(95/403/CFSP)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles J.3 and J.11 (2) thereof,
Having regard to Council Decision 94/276/CFSP of 19 April 1994 on a joint action adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union, in support of the Middle East peace process (1),
Having regard to Council Decision 95/205/CFSP of 1 June 1995 supplementing Decision 94/267/CFSP (2),
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The European Union shall participate in observing the elections to the Palestinian Council provided for in the Declaration of Principles of 13 September 1993, in accordance with the agreement to be concluded between the parties concerned on the observation and coordination of elections. The European Union shall organize the coordination of the observation in accordance with international rules. It shall be responsible for the financing of this task in accordance with Article 3 of this Decision.
The European Union shall carry out this coordination and observation by two means:
1. it shall take the appropriate measures to organize the coordination with the States and international organizations concerned;
2. it shall establish a 'European Electoral Unit' in the territories concerned, headed by a high-ranking figure with a high political profile. The characteristics of this 'European Electoral Unit' are set out in Annex I.
Article 2
The European observation mission shall comprise a maximum of 300 observers, 30 of whom shall be designated by the European Parliament.
Article 3
All the expenditure incurred for the operation of the European Electoral Unit shall be charged to the maximum amount of ECU 10 million set in Decision 95/205/CFSP.
The expenses incurred by the participation of European Union observers shall also be charged to that amount, with the exception of the cost of their journeys to and from the territories concerned and insurance costs which shall be borne respectively by the Member States or institutions which designated them.
The expenditure shall be administered in accordance with the Community's budgetary rules and procedures. The European Court of Auditors shall be invited to audit the accounts of the European Electoral Unit.
The guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the observers and of the members of the European Electoral Unit shall be defined with the parties.
Article 4
The Member States and the Commission shall present the list of observers and the candidatures of the persons wishing to participate in the European Electoral Unit.
The Presidency, in full association with the Commission and with the assistance of an advisory coordination group, composed of representatives of the Member States, shall draw up the list of observers and of members of the European Electoral Unit.
Article 5
The Presidency, in full association with the Commission and assisted by the advisory group referred to in the second paragraph of Article 4, shall define the guidelines and take the measures required to ensure that this Decision is followed up, in liaison with the European Electoral Unit, in those areas which concern it.
Article 6
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
Article 7
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal.
Done at Brussels, 25 September 1995.