COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/1970

of 17 October 2022

amending Decision 2010/452/CFSP on the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 12 August 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/452/CFSP (1), which extended the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (‘EUMM Georgia’), established by Council Joint Action 2008/736/CFSP (2).

(2) On 3 December 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1990 (3), extending EUMM Georgia until 14 December 2022.

(3) On 6 October 2022, on the occasion of the meeting of the European Political Community held in Prague, the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan confirmed their commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and to the Declaration agreed in Alma-Ata on 21 December 1991, in which both States recognised each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The two States moreover agreed in principle to the deployment of an EU civilian CSDP Mission alongside their common international border with a view to contributing to the restoration of peace and security in the area, to the building of confidence and to the delimitation of the international border between the two States.

(4) In a letter received by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 22 September 2022, the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia invited the Union to deploy a civilian CSDP monitoring Mission in Armenia for those purposes.

(5) In order to ensure a swift temporary deployment of EU observers, the task should be given to EUMM Georgia. The task is temporary and, in principle, will not last longer than two months.

(6) Decision 2010/452/CFSP should be amended accordingly.

(7) EUMM Georgia will be conducted in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 In Decision 2010/452/CFSP the following Article is inserted: ‘Article 3a 1. EUMM Georgia shall monitor, analyse and report on the situation in the region around the international border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, with a view to contributing to the restoration of peace and security in the area, to the building of confidence and to the delimitation of the international border between the two States. 2. A strategic assessment, including on the possible continuation, adaptation or termination of that task, shall be conducted by the Political and Security Committee six weeks after deployment. 3. That task shall end when the Council so decides.’.

Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 17 October 2022. For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES

(1) Council Decision 2010/452/CFSP of 12 August 2010 on the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia (OJ L 213, 13.8.2010, p. 43).

(2) Council Joint Action 2008/736/CFSP of 15 September 2008 on the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia (OJ L 248, 17.9.2008, p. 26).

(3) Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1990 of 3 December 2020 amending Decision 2010/452/CFSP on the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia, EUMM Georgia (OJ L 411, 7.12.2020, p. 1).