Council Joint Action

of 29 June 2001

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

(2001/492/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) On 15 June 2001 the European Council declared that the European Union stands ready to build on progress made in the current talks and to engage further in facilitation of the political dialogue in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. In this context it agreed to appoint, for a limited period of time, a representative of the EU, resident in Skopje, who will act under the authority of the High Representative.

(2) For this purpose, the Council agreed on 25 June 2001 to appoint the candidate proposed by France.

(3) 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 François LEOTARD is hereby appointed EU Special Representative in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

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 the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and with the parties involved in the political process;

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

(c) liaising closely with the local Presidency, the Heads of Mission and the European 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. Given the urgency of the situation, and exceptionally, most administrative expenditure of the Special Representative shall be covered by France.

2. The financial reference amount intended to cover any operational expenditure related to the mission of the 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 day of its adoption. It shall expire on 29 October 2001.

2. This Joint Action shall be regularly reviewed.

Article 6

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 29 June 2001.

For the Council

The President

A. Lindh