Council Joint Action

of 19 November 2001

regarding European Union support for the establishment of an interim multinational security presence in Burundi

(2001/801/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 29 October 2001 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1375 (2001), in which it commends the efforts of the South African Government and other UN Member States to support implementation of the Arusha Agreement and strongly endorses in this regard the establishment of an interim multinational security presence in Burundi, at the request of the Burundian Government, to protect returning political leaders and train an all-Burundian protection force.

(2) A coordinated European Union support programme designed to implement the measures outlined in this Joint Action is required to launch the peace process.

(3) The situation in 2001 has been highly volatile, with two attempted coups d'état and continuing violence. With regard to the negotiations on implementing the Peace Agreement signed in August 2000, despite the lack of a ceasefire, substantial progress has been made, particularly in July 2001, when a consensus was reached on the arrangements for transition to democracy, and in October 2001, when a decision was taken on the protection of politicians returning from exile. Such protection should be guaranteed by an interim multinational security presence whose powers were to be transferred to an all-Burundian protection force.

(4) In addition to support from the United Nations Security Council, it is essential for the political viability of this initiative aimed at ensuring the safety of opposition leaders returning from exile that the consensus among the political representatives in Burundi be maintained and that the Status of Forces Agreement endorsed by the Governments involved, concerning the conditions of deployment and mandate of the interim multinational security force, be observed.

(5) The medium-term viability of the objectives set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1375 (2001) is also dependent on a significant financial contribution from the whole International Community.

(6) The Council notes that the Commission intends to direct its action towards achieving the other objectives and priorities set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1375 (2001), as a means of contributing to consolidation of the peace process and implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement, by appropriate Community measures,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

In the context of its support for the Arusha Agreement and Burundian efforts to implement that Agreement, the European Union endorses the initiative aimed at establishing an interim multinational security presence in Burundi with a view to protecting returning political leaders as part of the process of installing a transitional government.

Article 2

1. The European Union shall provide financial support to cover certain expenditure incurred during the deployment phase of the said interim multinational security presence in Burundi. The reference amount shall be EUR 9,5 million.

2. 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. Expenditure shall become eligible as from 25 October 2001.

Article 3

This Joint Action shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall expire on 1 June 2002.

Article 4

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 19 November 2001.

For the Council

The President

L. Michel