Council Joint Action

of 14 December 2000

appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process and repealing Joint Action 96/676/CFSP

(2000/794/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) Joint Action 96/676/CFSP of the Council of 25 November 1996 in relation to the nomination of a European Union special envoy for the Middle East peace process(1), is due to expire on 31 December 2000.

(2) On the basis of a review of Joint Action 96/676/CFSP, the mandate of the Special Representative should be extended.

(3) It is also important to ensure coordination and coherence of the European Union approach in the Middle East.

(4) On 30 March 2000 the Council adopted guidelines on the appointing procedure and administrative arrangements for European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs). The arrangements applicable to the EUSR should be adjusted in accordance with those guidelines.

(5) For reasons of transparency and clarity, the provisions applicable to the EUSR should be set out in a single text and Joint Action 96/676/CFSP should therefore be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

Mr Miguel Angel Moratinos is hereby appointed the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process.

Article 2

The mandate of the Special Representative shall be to:

(a) establish and maintain close contact with all the parties to the peace process, other countries of the region, the United States of America and other interested countries, as well as relevant international organisations, in order to work with them in strengthening the peace process;

(b) observe peace negotiations between the parties and be ready to offer the European Union's advice and good offices should the parties request this;

(c) contribute, where requested, to the implementation of international agreements reached between 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 process in order to promote compliance with the basic norms of democracy, including respect for human rights and the rule of law;

(e) report to the Council's bodies on the possibilities for European Union intervention in the peace process and on the best way of pursuing European Union initiatives and ongoing Middle East peace process-related European Union business, including the political aspects of relevant European Union development projects;

(f) monitor actions by either side which might prejudice the outcome of the permanent status negotiations;

(g) develop joint cooperation on security issues within the EU-Palestinian Permanent Security Committee set up on 9 April 1998;

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

Article 3

1. The financial reference amount intended to cover the operational expenditure related to the mission of the Special Representative shall be set at EUR 1285280 for the year 2001.

2. The amount specified in paragraph 1 shall be allocated to financing the expenditure of the EU-Israel Forum and the Final Status Task Forces, and that relating to cooperation through the EU-Palestinian Security Committee.

3. The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the European Community procedures and rules applicable to the budget.

Article 4

1. The Special Representative shall conclude a special adviser's contract with the Council.

2. The Special Representative shall be responsible for implementing his mandate, including the constitution of his team, in consultation with the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative, and in full association with the Commission.

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

4. All A-type posts shall be published in Member States and European Union institutions and filled by the best-qualified applicants.

5. 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.

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

Article 5

1. The Special Representative shall report directly to the Secretary-General/High Representative. He shall be accountable to the Secretary-General/High Representative for administrative expenditure incurred in respect of his activities.

2. The management of operational expenditure shall be subject to a contract between the Special Representative and the Commission.

Article 6

1. The Special Representative shall submit regular reports, on his own initiative or when requested, to the Council through the Secretary-General/High Representative. These reports shall also be forwarded to the Commission.

2. The implementation of this Joint Action shall be kept under regular review, taking into account notably the development of and consistency with other European Union contributions to the region.

3. In particular the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative, shall ensure coordination between the activities of the Special Representative and the EU adviser appointed under Council Joint Action of 13 April 2000 on a European Union assistance programme to support the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to counter terrorist activities emanating from the territories under its control(2).

Article 7

Joint Action 96/676/CFSP is hereby repealed.

Article 8

This Joint Action shall enter into force on 1 January 2001.

It shall apply until 31 December 2001.

Article 9

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 14 December 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. Glavany

(1) OJ L 315, 4.12.1996, p. 1. Joint Action as last extended and amended by Joint Action 1999/843/CFSP (OJ L 326, 18.12.1999, p. 71).

(2) OJ L 97, 19.4.2000, p. 4.