Council Joint Action

of 29 October 2001

concerning the appointment of the Special Representative of the European Union in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

(2001/760/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 29 June 2001, the Council adopted Joint Action 2001/492/CFSP(1) appointing François Léotard as the Special Representative of the European Union in the Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) with a view, in particular, to establishing and maintaining close contact with the government of the FYROM and with the parties involved in the political process and to offer the European Union's advice and facilitation in the political process. The said Joint Action expires on 29 October 2001.

(2) The term of office of the EU Special Representative in the FYROM should be renewed in order to contribute to full implementation of the Framework Agreement of 13 August 2001.

(3) Following François Léotard's request that his mission be terminated, the candidate nominated by the High Representative should be appointed to replace him.

(4) In accordance with the guidelines on appointing procedure and administrative arrangements of EU Special Representatives adopted by the Council on 30 March 2000, Member States' and the Commission's missions can provide on request from their own resources appropriate and reasonable support to the mission of the Special Representative,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

Mr Alain Le Roy is hereby appointed EU Special Representative in FYROM.

Article 2

The mandate of the Special Representative shall be to act, under the authority of the High Representative, in the following areas:

(a) establishing and maintaining close contact with the government of FYROM and with the parties involved in the political process;

(b) offering the European Union's advice and facilitation in the political process;

(c) liaising closely with the local Presidency, the Heads of Mission and the Commission, as well as with the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM);

(d) establishing and maintaining close contact with other relevant international and regional actors, including local representatives of NATO, OSCE and the UN with a view to ensuring the required coordination;

(e) contributing, where requested, to the implementation of agreements reached;

(f) following closely developments and initiatives in the field of security and liaising with all relevant bodies.

Article 3

1. Up to 31 December 2001, the administrative expenditure of the EU Special Representative shall be covered by France and by the Council.

2. With effect from 1 January 2002, the administrative expenditure of the EU Special Representative shall gradually be taken over by the Council budget, by decision of the Secretary-General/High Representative, subject to the allocations available for Special Representatives under heading 1 1 1 3 in the Council Section of the budget of the European Communities.

3. The financial reference amount intended to cover any operational expenditure related to the mission of the EU Special Representative will be covered by a future decision of the Council in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the Council on 30 March 2000.

Article 4

The EU Special Representative shall submit regular reports on the implementation of his political mandate, on his own initiative or when requested, to the Council through the High Representative.

Article 5

1. This Joint Action shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. It shall expire on 28 February 2002.

2. This Joint Action shall be regularly reviewed.

Article 6

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Luxembourg, 29 October 2001.

For the Council

The President

L. Michel

(1) OJ L 180, 3.7.2001, p. 1.