Council Joint Action

of 10 December 2002

amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the African Great Lakes Region

(2002/962/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Whereas:

(1) Council Joint Action 2000/792/CFSP of 14 December 2000 appointing the Special Representative of the European Union for the African Great Lakes Region(1) is due to expire on 31 December 2002.

(2) On the basis of a review of that Joint Action, the mandate of the Special Representative should be amended and extended.

(3) Clear lines of responsibility as well as the coordination and consistency of the European Union external action in the African Great Lakes Region should be ensured.

(4) On 30 March 2000 the Council adopted guidelines on the appointing procedure and administrative arrangements for European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs),

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The mandate of Mr Aldo AJELLO as the European Union Special Representative for the African Great Lakes Region is hereby extended.

Article 2

The mandate of the Special Representative will be based on the policy objectives of the European Union regarding the conflicts in the African Great Lakes Region.

These objectives include:

(a) active and efficient contribution of the European Union to a final settlement of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the conflict in Burundi;

(b) particular attention to the regional dimension of the two conflicts;

(c) ensurance of the continued presence of the European Union on the ground and in relevant international fora, staying in touch with key players and contribution to crisis management;

(d) contribution to a consistent, sustainable and responsible policy of the European Union in the African Great Lakes Region.

The Special Representative shall support the work of the High Representative in the region.

Article 3

In order to achieve the objective, the mandate of the EU Special Representative shall be to:

(a) establish and maintain close contact with all the parties to the conflicts in the African Great Lakes Region, other countries of the region, the United States of America, other relevant countries, as well as the UN and other relevant international organisations, the AU and subregional organisations and their representatives as well as other prominent regional leaders in order to work with them in strengthening the peace processes of Lusaka and Arusha and the peace agreements concluded in Pretoria and Luanda;

(b) observe the peace negotiations between the parties and offer the European Union's advice and good offices as appropriate;

(c) contribute, where requested, to the implementation of peace and cease fire agreements reached between the parties and engage with them diplomatically in the event of non-compliance with the terms of these agreements;

(d) engage constructively with signatories to agreements within the framework of the peace processes in order to promote compliance with the basic norms of democracy and good governance, including respect for human rights and the rule of law;

(e) contribute to and cooperate with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Great Lakes Region on the preparation of a Conference on Peace, Security, Democracy and Development in the Great Lakes Region;

(f) report on the possibilities for European Union intervention in the peace process and on the best way of pursuing European Union initiatives;

(g) monitor actions by the parties to the conflicts, which might prejudice the outcome of the ongoing peace processes;

(h) contribute to a better understanding of the European Union's role among opinion leaders in the region.

Article 4

1. The Special Representative shall be responsible for the implementation of the mandate acting under the authority and operational direction of the High Representative. The Special Representative shall be accountable to the High Representative for administrative expenditure and to the Commission for any operational expenditure incurred in respect of activities.

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

Article 5

1. The Special Representative shall conclude a contract with the Council.

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

Article 6

1. The Special Representative shall be responsible for the constitution of his team and shall inform the Council and the Commission thereon through the High Representative.

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

3. All A-type posts to be filled shall be published in Member States and institutions of the European Union and taken up by the best qualified applicants.

4. The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the Special Representative 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 Special Representative will report in person to the High Representative and to the PSC and may report also to the relevant Working Group. Regular written reports will be circulated to the High Representative, Council and Commission. The Special Representative may report to the General Affairs and External Relations Council on the recommendation of the High Representative and the PSC.

Article 8

To ensure the consistency of external action of the European Union, the activities of the Special Representative shall be coordinated with those of the High Representative, the Presidency and the Commission. In the field, close liaison shall be maintained with the Presidency, the Commission and the Heads of Mission who shall make their best efforts to assist the Special Representative in the implementation of the mandate. The Special Representative shall also liaise with other international actors in the field.

Article 9

The implementation of this Joint Action and its consistency with other contributions from the European Union to the region shall be kept under regular review. The Special Representative shall present a comprehensive written report on the implementation of the mandate to the High Representative, the Council and the Commission two months before the mandate expires, which shall form a basis for evaluation of the Joint Action in the relevant Working Groups and by the PSC. In the context of overall priorities for deployment, the High Representative 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 1 January 2003.

It shall apply until 30 June 2003.

Article 11

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 10 December 2002.

For the Council

The President

P. S. Møller

(1) OJ L 318, 16.12.2000, p. 1. Joint Action as amended by Joint Action 2001/876/CFSP (OJ L 326, 11.12.2001, p. 3).