EN Official Journal of the European Union L 273/3

AGREEMENT

in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the extension of the Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the status of the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL AFGHANISTAN)

A. Letter from the European Union

Brussels, 4 August 2016

Your Excellency,

On 30 May 2007 the Council established, by Joint Action 2007/369/CFSP, the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL AFGHANISTAN) with the objective to contribute to the creation under Afghan ownership of sustainable and effective police arrangements.

On 14 October 2010, the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan signed an agreement on the Status of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN. This Agreement expires on 14 October 2016. Article 20(4) thereof stipulates that this Agreement may be amended by written agreement between the Parties.

The mandate of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN comes to an end on 31 December 2016. After this date the process of the termination of the mission, including the disposal of its assets, is expected to last for the period of up to nine months.

Taking the above in the account, I propose that the Agreement of the Status of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN of 14 October 2010 is extended for a period of 1 (one) year unless terminated by one of the parties with advance written notice of 3 (three) months and applies to EU personnel entrusted with the closure of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN as well as to the assets needed to perform their tasks.

I should be grateful if you would let me know whether you agree on this proposal. If you do agree on it, this letter, together with your reply, will constitute an amendment by written agreement of the above mentioned Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on EUPOL AFGHANISTAN in the meaning of Article 20(4) of this Agreement, which will enter into force on the date on which your letter of reply is received.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the European Union Federica MOGHERINI

B. Letter from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Kabul, 3 September 2016

Dear High Representative,

Thank you for your letter dated 4 August 2016 on the extension of the Agreement on the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan, which reads as follows:

‘On 30 May 2007 the Council established, by Joint Action 2007/369/CFSP, the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL AFGHANISTAN) with the objective to contribute to the creation under Afghan ownership of sustainable and effective police arrangements. On 14 October 2010, the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan signed an agreement on the Status of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN. This Agreement expires on 14 October 2016. Article 20(4) thereof stipulates that this Agreement may be amended by written agreement between the Parties. The mandate of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN comes to an end on 31 December 2016. After this date the process of the termination of the mission, including the disposal of its assets, is expected to last for the period of up to nine months. Taking the above in the account, I propose that the Agreement of the Status of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN of 14 October 2010 is extended for a period of 1 (one) year unless terminated by one of the parties with advance written notice of 3 (three) months and applies to EU personnel entrusted with the closure of EUPOL AFGHANISTAN as well as to the assets needed to perform their tasks. I should be grateful if you would let me know whether you agree on this proposal. If you do agree on it, this letter, together with your reply, will constitute an amendment by written agreement of the above mentioned agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on EUPOL AFGHANISTAN in the meaning of Article 20(4) of this agreement, which will enter into force on the date on which your letter of reply is received.’.

I am pleased to inform you that I accept the terms suggested in your letter.

Please accept, Madam, the assurance of my highest consideration.