Council Joint Action

of 26 July 2001

regarding a contribution of the European Union towards reinforcing the capacity of the Georgian authorities to support and protect the OSCE Observer Mission on the border of the Republic of Georgia with the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation

(2001/568/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 20 July 2000, the Council adopted Joint Action 2000/456/CFSP(1) regarding a contribution of the European Union towards reinforcing the capacity of the Georgian authorities to support and protect the OSCE Observer Mission on the border of the Republic of Georgia with the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation, which expired on 31 December 2000.

(2) The Stockholm European Council reiterated its strong concerns over the situation in Chechnya and stressed the need for a political solution of the conflict as a matter of urgency.

(3) From 28 May to 1 June 2000, General Sir Garry Johnson, as an Expert of the European Union, carried out an up-to-date assessment mission on the spot, as a result of which he concluded that there is a need for further EU support to permit the Georgian Border Guards to perform their duties effectively, in particular protection of the OSCE Observer Mission.

(4) Taking into account the above elements, it is of great importance that the EU continues to provide assistance for reinforcing the capacity of the Georgian authorities to support and protect the OSCE Observation Mission on the border of the Republic of Georgia with the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation.

(5) There is a need to implement this Joint Action rapidly.

(6) The Commission has agreed to be entrusted with certain tasks necessary for the implementation of this Joint Action,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

1. The European Union shall provide assistance to reinforce the capacity of the Georgian authorities to provide, through their Border Guards, support and protection for the OSCE Observer Mission on the border of Georgia with the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation.

2. For this purpose, the European Union shall as soon as possible provide aid to the Government of Georgia in the form of equipment which shall be transported to the Shatili border post.

Article 2

1. The Council shall entrust the Commission with the implementation of the objective specified in Article 1(2).

2. The Commission shall monitor and evaluate the effective delivery of the equipment to the Georgian Border Guards and its further use.

3. In carrying out its activities, the Commission will cooperate, as appropriate, with local missions of Member States.

Article 3

1. The financial reference amount for the purposes referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 45000.

2. The management of the expenditure financed by the amount specified in paragraph 1 shall be subject to the procedures and rules of the Community applying to budget matters. Procurement, transport and delivery of the equipment shall be undertaken in accordance with the most appropriate procedures in order to address the urgency of the action.

Article 4

1. This Joint Action shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall expire on 31 March 2002.

2. This Joint Action shall be reviewed by 30 November 2001, before which date the Commission shall report on the implementation of the action to the Council under the authority of the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General of the Council, High Representative for the CFSP.

Article 5

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 26 July 2001.

For the Council

The President

L. Michel

(1) OJ L 183, 22.7.2000, p. 3.