JOINT ACTION

of 11 December 1995

adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union with regard to the participation of the Union in the implementing structures of the peace plan for Bosnia-Herzegovina

(95/545/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles J.3 and J.11 thereof,

Having regard to the general guidelines laid down by the European Council meeting in Brussels on 29 October 1993,

Having regard to the conclusions of the European Council meeting in Cannes on 26 and 27 June 1995,

Having regard to the Council's conclusions of 30 and 31 October, 20 November and 4 December 1995,

HEREBY ADOPTS THIS JOINT ACTION:

1. The European Union will make its contribution to the implementation of the Peace Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina, both in the monitoring process and by bearing part of the expenditure essential to ensure the proper execution of the mission of the High Representative appointed at the London Conference on 8 and 9 December 1995, in the context of a fair distribution of the burden with the other donors.

2. In association with the Commission, the Presidency will express the position of the European Union within the coordination bodies established by the London Conference. Other Member States participating in these bodies will support the common positions of such bodies.

Furthermore, the Council notes that the positions to be taken by the European Communities will be expressed by the Commission.

3. The Presidency will establish the necessary contacts with the High Representative, in particular to determine the arrangements for the submission by the latter to the Council of the European Union of the regular reports provided for in Article II (1) (f) of Annex 10 to the Peace Plan.

4. In order to cover the contribution of the European Union to operational expenses in connection with the High Representative's mission, a maximum amount of ECU 10 million is hereby charged to the general budget of the European Communities for 1995. The management of expenditure will be subject to the procedures and rules of the Community applying to budget matters.

5. The European Union will contribute to the financing of the infrastructure and current expenditure of the High Representative, including his salary and the cost of the supporting staff, with the proviso that the salaries of staff seconded by a Member State or by the Commission to the High Representative will be paid by that Member State or the Commission respectively. The Member States and the Commission may propose the secondment of staff to work with the High Representative.

The European Union's contribution to the budget of the High Representative will take account of the proportion of staff from its Member States and from the Commission in the total number of staff working for the High Representative belonging to the equivalent of category 'A' as defined in the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities.

6. This joint action shall enter into force on the day of its adoption and shall apply until 31 December 1996.

7. This joint action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 11 December 1995.

For the Council

The President

J. SOLANA