EN Official Journal of the European Union L 349/57

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2006/918/CFSP

of 11 December 2006

amending and extending Joint Action 2006/304/CFSP on the establishment of an EU Planning Team (EUPT Kosovo) regarding a possible EU crisis management operation in the field of rule of law and possible other areas in Kosovo

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 14 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 10 April 2006 the Council adopted Joint Action 2006/304/CFSP (1) establishing an EU Planning Team (EUPT Kosovo) regarding a possible EU crisis management operation in the field of rule of law and possible other areas in Kosovo. This Joint Action expires on 31 December 2006.

(2) On 11 October 2006 the Political and Security Committee recommended that EUPT Kosovo be extended and agreed that the mandate of EUPT Kosovo should be adapted.

(3) Joint Action 2006/304/CFSP should be extended and amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

Joint Action 2006/304/CFSP is hereby amended as follows:

1. In Article 1(2), the first indent shall be replaced by the following: ‘— to take forward planning and take action to ensure a smooth transition between selected tasks of UNMIK and a possible EU crisis management operation in the field of the rule of law and other areas that might be identified by the Council in the context of the future status process;’.

2. Article 2(5) shall be replaced by the following: ‘5. Identifying the needs of the possible future EU crisis management operation regarding its required means of support, including all equipment, services and premises and drawing up related terms of reference or technical specifications. Proposing actions to procure the required equipment, services and premises and conclude those actions, taking into account the possibility to take over suitable equipment, premises and material from available sources, including UNMIK, where relevant, feasible and cost efficient. Launching tender procedures and awarding contracts shall be done where appropriate under suspensive clause and/or framework contracts. Recruiting personnel that would constitute the core of the possible future ESDP crisis management operation, in view of its rapid deployment. Issuing a deployment plan for the future possible EU crisis management operation.’

3. Article 4(7) shall be deleted.

4. Article 9(1) shall be replaced by the following: ‘1. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUPT Kosovo from 10 April 2006 to 31 December 2006 shall be EUR 3 005 000. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUPT Kosovo from 1 January 2007 to 31 May 2007 shall be EUR 10 545 000.’

5. The following paragraph shall be added to Article 9: ‘6. In duly substantiated exceptional cases, notably in relation with suppliers offering particularly advantageous terms, the Commission may grant exceptions to the rules of origin applicable to procurement.’

6. Article 14 shall be replaced by the following: ‘Article 14 Review By 15 April 2007 the Council shall evaluate whether EUPT Kosovo should be continued after 31 May 2007, taking into account the necessity of a smooth transition to a possible EU crisis management operation in Kosovo.’

7. Article 15(2) shall be replaced by the following: ‘2. It shall expire on 31 May 2007 or on the date of the launching of the EU crisis management operation, whichever is earlier.’

Article 2

This Joint Action shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels, 11 December 2006. For the Council The President E. TUOMIOJA

(1) OJ L 112, 26.4.2006, p. 19.