1999/728/CFSP: Council Common Position of 15 November 1999 concerning EU support for the implementation of the Lusaka ceasefire agreement and the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Date: 1999-11-15
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Congo, cease-fire, cooperation policy, human rights, peacekeeping, the EU's international role

L 294/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16. 11. 1999

COUNCIL COMMON POSITION

of 15 November 1999

concerning EU support for the implementation of the Lusaka ceasefire agreement and the peace
process in the Democratic Republic of Congo

(1999/728/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in par-
ticular Article 15 thereof,

and national sovereignty of the DRC and for democratic prin-
ciples and human rights in all States of the region, and by
taking account of the security interest of the DRC and its
neighbouring countries.

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

the European Council in Amsterdam on 16 and 17 June
1997 adopted conclusions
the process
towards democracy in the Democratic Republic of
Congo;

regarding

on 9 November 1998, the Council adopted conclusions
on the situation in the Great Lakes Region;

the Council has adopted Common Position 97/356/
CFSP concerning conflict prevention and resolution in
Africa (1)
and Common Position 98/350/CFSP on
human rights, democratic principles, the rule of law and
good governance in Africa (2);

the signing of
the Lusaka ceasefire agreement was
completed on 31 August 1999 by all parties involved,
i.e. the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia,
Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, the ‘Mouvement pour la
Libération du Congo’ and the ‘Rassemblement Congolais
pour la Démocratie’;

in accordance with the declarations of the Presidency on
behalf of the European Union of 9 and 16 July, 3 and
22 September and 11 October 1999, the Union pledged
its support to the implementation of the Lusaka agree-
ment provided that the parties respect and implement
the agreement in accordance with the terms set out
therein;

(6)

the United Nations Security Council has adopted Resolu-
tions 1234(1999) and 1258(1999),

HAS ADOPTED THIS COMMON POSITION:

Article 1

The objective of the Common Position is to support through
action by the European Union and its Member States the
the Lusaka ceasefire agreement and the
implementation of
process towards peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC).

The European Union affirms that lasting peace in the DRC can
be achieved only through a negotiated peace settlement which
is fair to all parties, through respect for the territorial integrity

(1) OJ L 153, 11.6.1997, p. 1. Common Position implemented by
Council Decision 97/690/CFSP (OJ L 293, 27.10.1997, p. 3).

(2) OJ L 158, 2.6.1998, p. 1.

Once peace is restored the European Union is ready to consider
long-term cooperation in support of national reconstruction.

Article 2

The European Union will support action taken by the United
Nations and the Organisation for African Unity in support of
the implementation of the Lusaka ceasefire agreement and the
peace process, and cooperate closely with them and other
relevant actors of the international community in the imple-
mentation of this Common Position.

Article 3

The European Union will support the Joint Military Commis-
sion to allow it to fulfil its tasks as specified in its Rules of
Procedure.

Article 4

The European Union will further support a process of recon-
ciliation and democratisation in the Democratic Republic of
Congo, including support for the national dialogue, in accord-
ance with the objectives and arrangements specified in the
Lusaka ceasefire agreement.

Article 5

The Council notes that the Commission intends to direct its
action towards achieving the objectives of this Common posi-
tion, where appropriate, by pertinent Community measures,
notably by restoring democratic institutions, in order to ensure
respect for human rights, democracy, good governance and the
rule of law. Consideration will also be given to supporting the
reintegration of refugees and displaced people and the demo-
bilisation and reintegation of ex-combatants.

Article 6

In its cooperation with the countries involved in the crisis in
the Democratic Republic of Congo, the European Union will
promote support for activities which contribute to political
stability and the alleviation of economic and social problems
which contribute to instability in the Great Lakes region.

16. 11. 1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 294/3

Article 7

The European Union will consider support to the concept and
possible preparations of a regional conference on security and
cooperation in the Great Lakes region in order to enhance
political stability, conflict management and resolution capa-
cities, and economic integration in the region.

The Common Position will be reviewed before 8 November
2000.

Article 10

This Common Position shall take effect on the day of
adoption.

its

Article 8

Article 11

The European Union and its Member States reserve the right to
modify or cancel any activities in support of the implementa-
tion of the Lusaka ceasefire agreement, if the parties do not
abide by the terms of the agreement.

Article 9

The implementation of this Common Position will be mon-
itored regularly.

This Common Position shall be published in the Official
Journal.

Done at Brussels, 15 November 1999.

For the Council

The President

T. HALONEN