WRITTEN QUESTION E-1595/99

by Christoph Konrad (PPE-DE) to the Council

(20 September 1999)

Subject: EU special representatives and envoys and special coordinators

1. How many EU special representatives/envoys/coordinators are there, including both those who are active and those who have merely been appointed? Who are the individuals concerned? For what regions or countries are they responsible and to what extent do they cooperate with other international organisations?

2. What is the legal basis for the appointment of the above persons? What are their respective terms of office? Where are they based, or where are their activities centred? What financial and material resources does each have at his/her disposal (including the budget for travelling)? What is the size of their staff (list of posts)?

3. The appointment on 2 July 1999 of Mr Bodo Hombach as the EU Special Representative for the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe was due to expire on 31 July 1999 unless formally confirmed by a Joint Action pursuant to Article 2 of the relevant decision. Is the formal decision on the stability pact deemed such confirmation?

4. Why are there now two EU fora, existing side by side, for the stability process in South-Eastern Europe, namely (a) the Royaumont process under EU Special Representative P. Roumeliotis, based in Thessaloniki and with a budget of 550 000 for May 1999 to May 2000, and (b) the stability pact under EU Special Representative B. Hombach, based in Brussels and with a budget of 850 000 for 1999? How are the functions of the two fora differentiated, and to whom is each required to report and accountable (e.g. the new Mr CFSP, J. Solana)?

Reply

(29 November 1999)

The EU has currently the following Special Representatives (EUSR), which are appointed on the basis of Article 18.5 of the TEU:

1. Mr Aldo Ajello: EUSR for the African Great Lakes Region (Joint Action 96/250/CFSP). Annual mandate (current one expiring on 31 July 2000, see Council Decision 1999/423/CFSP). Current budget: 1 137 000. Team: 4 people. Brussels office.

2. Mr Miguel Angel Moratinos: EUSR for the Middle East Peace Process (Joint Action 96/676/CFSP). Annual mandate (current one expiring on 31 December 1999). Current budget: 2 400 000. Team: 9 people. Brussels office.

3. Mr Niels Eriksson: EU Adviser to Palestinian Authority on terrorism (Joint Action 97/289/CFSP). Appointed initially for three years, was extended until 31 May 2002 (Joint Action 1999/440/CFSP). Budget: 3 600 000 until 30 June 2000. Team: 3 people. Based in Ramallah.

4. Mr Bodo Hombach: EUSR appointed to act as Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe. Appointed by Council Decision 1999/345/CFSP and confirmed by Council Joint Action 1999/523/CFSP of 29 July 1999 until 31 December 1999. Budget: 850 000. Team: 22 people. Brussels office.

5. Mr Panagiotis Roumeliotis: EUSR for the Royaumont Process (stability and good-neighbourliness in South-East Europe, see Common Position 98/633/CFSP). Annual mandate, current one expiring on 31 May 2000 (Council Decision 1999/361/CFSP). Current budget: 550 000. Team: 4 people. Brussels office.

The Royaumont Process was launched on 13 December 1995. It is intended that the Process will be incorporated into the OSCE in due time. It covers human rights and democratisation issues in the broad region of South-east Europe.

The Stability Pact was formally adopted in Cologne on 10 June 1999. Its aim is to develop a synergy between organisations and other initiatives in the region. Democratisation and Human Rights are an important aspect of the Stability Pact. In this regard the EUSR Roumeliotis actively contributes to the work of the Stability Pact's Working Table on Democratisation and Human Rights.

Moreover Article 2 of Joint Action 1999/523/CFSP states that the EUSR, Mr Hombach and the EUSR, Mr Roumeliotis shall coordinate their action.

Concerning accountability of EUSR, Article 4 of Joint Action 1999/523/CFSP states that the EUSR shall be guided by, and report under the authority of, the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary General to the Council on a regular basis and as the need arises [mldr]. Following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, this wording will be added to all Joint Actions on EUSR in the future.