JOINT ACTION of 25 March 1996 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union, in relation to the nomination of a Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes Region (96/250/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 conclusions of the European Council of 15 and 16 December 1995 in Madrid,

Having regard to the conclusions of the Council of 29 January and 26 and 27 February 1996,

HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The Union shall pursue the following objectives with respect to the African Great Lakes Region and the countries of the region:

1. to assist these countries in resolving the crisis affecting their region; and

2. to support the efforts of the UN and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), as well as those of regional leaders and other parties, aimed at finding a lasting and comprehensive peaceful solution to the political, economic and humanitarian problems facing the region.

Article 2

To this end, the Special Envoy of the Union will support the efforts aimed at creating the conditions for solving the crisis, including the preparation for the holding of a Conference on Peace, Security and Stability in the Great Lakes Region, which is an important step in the process of finding a lasting and peaceful solution.

The Special Envoy will:

- work in support of the efforts of the UN and of the OAU, which are striving to bring an end to the conflicts in the region, and of those African personalities who are assisting the two organizations;

- establish and maintain close contact with the Governments of the countries of the region, with other interested Governments and international organizations in order to identify measures which need to be taken towards solving the problems of the region;

- coordinate closely with the representatives of the UN and of the OAU in the region, which are responsible for the convening of the Conference;

- cooperate with regional leaders and other parties working towards the same objective; and

- where appropriate, establish contact with other parties who might have a role to play in achieving progress.

Article 3

The Special Envoy:

- is appointed for a period of six months, subject to review after three months of mandate, including the administrative and financial aspects;

- shall report every two months, or whenever necessary, to the Council or its designated instances;

- may be called to report orally on developments, whenever the need arises; and

- may make recommendations to the Council on measures which the Union might undertake to fulfil its objectives in the region.

Article 4

1. In order to cover the costs related to the mission of the Special Envoy, a sum of ECU 950 000 shall be charged to the general budget of the European Communities for 1996.

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.

3. A sum of up to the amount specified in paragraph 1 shall be allocated to finance the infrastructure and current expenditure of the Special Envoy, including his salary and that of his support staff. The remuneration of personnel which a Member State or the Commission may detach to the Special Envoy will be covered respectively by the Member State concerned and the Commission. Member States and the Commission may propose the detachment of personnel to the Special Envoy.

4. The Council notes that the Commission intends to provide logistical support in the region.

5. The guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the Special Envoy and the members of his staff shall be defined with the parties. The Member States and the Commission shall grant all necessary support to such effect.

Article 5

This Joint Action shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. It shall apply until 25 November 1996.

Article 6

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 25 March 1996.

For the Council

The President

S. AGNELLI