EN Official Journal of the European Union L 256/28

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2007/634/CFSP

of 1 October 2007

amending Joint Action 2007/113/CFSP amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in particular, Articles 14, 18(5) and 23(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 15 February 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2007/113/CFSP (1) amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia.

(2) At its meeting of 21 and 22 June 2007, the European Council adopted an EU strategy for a new partnership with Central Asia. As the EUSR has been assigned a role in monitoring the implementation of that strategy, his mandate should be adapted accordingly.

(3) On 27 July 2007, on the basis of a mid-term review of Joint Action 2007/113/CFSP, the Political and Security Committee recommended making further adjustments to the EUSR's mandate.

(4) Joint Action 2007/113/CFSP should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

Article 3(1) of Joint Action 2007/113/CFSP shall be replaced by the following:

‘1. In order to achieve the policy objectives, the EUSR's mandate shall be to: (a) promote overall political coordination of the European Union in Central Asia and ensure consistency of the external actions of the European Union in the region without prejudice to Community competence; (b) monitor, on behalf of the High Representative and in accordance with his mandate, together with the Commission and the Presidency, and without prejudice to Community competence, the implementation process of the EU Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia, make recommendations and report to relevant Council bodies on a regular basis; (c) assist the Council in further developing a comprehensive policy towards Central Asia; (d) follow closely political developments in Central Asia by developing and maintaining close contacts with governments, parliaments, judiciary, civil society and mass media; (e) encourage Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to cooperate on regional issues of common interest; (f) develop appropriate contacts and cooperation with the main interested actors in the region, and all relevant regional and international organisations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC) and the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC); (g) contribute to the implementation of the European Union human rights policy and European Union Guidelines on Human Rights, in particular with regard to women and children in conflict-affected areas, especially by monitoring and addressing developments in this regard; (h) contribute, in close cooperation with the OSCE, to conflict prevention and resolution by developing contacts with the authorities and other local actors (NGOs, political parties, minorities, religious groups and their leaders); (i) provide input to the formulation of energy security aspects and anti-narcotics aspects of the CFSP with respect to Central Asia.’.

Article 2

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

Article 3

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Luxembourg, 1 October 2007. For the Council The President M. LINO

(1) OJ L 46, 16.2.2007, p. 83.