2000/298/CSFP: Council Joint Action of 13 April 2000 on a European Union assistance programme to support the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to counter terrorist activities emanating from the territories under its control
Date: 2000-04-13
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Union, Palestine question, action programme, terrorism

L 97/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

19.4.2000

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION

of 13 April 2000

on a European Union assistance programme to support the Palestinian Authority in its efforts to
counter terrorist activities emanating from the territories under its control

(2000/298/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in partic-
ular Article 14 thereof,

Recalling Article 18(2) thereof,

Whereas:

In pursuit of the European Union's active and continued
role in promoting the Middle East Peace Process, the
Council adopted on 29 April 1997 Joint Action 97/289/
CFSP on the establishment of a European Union assis-
tance programme to support the Palestinian Authority in
its efforts to counter terrorist activities emanating from
the territories under its control (1).

Decision 1999/440/CFSP (2) extended Joint Action 97/
289/CFSP and provided for it to be reviewed no later
than 30 June 2000 with a view to the possible adoption
of a multiannual programme.

The results of the mid-term review of Joint Action 97/
289/CFSP and of the evaluation carried out following a
Troika visit to the region confirmed that the European
Union's assistance programme makes an important
contribution to the objectives pursued by the European
Union in supporting the Palestinian Authority in its
efforts to counter terrorist activities.

Continuity in the implementation of these several activi-
ties is deemed important in order to achieve the objec-
tives pursued by the European Union.

On 26 October 1998 the Council extended the mandate
of the EU Special Representative for the Middle East
Peace Process (MEPP), to include security questions; in
such circumstances it is important to ensure coordina-
tion and coherence of the European Union approach.

(8)

(9)

Joint Action 97/289/CFSP and Decision 1999/440/CFSP
should be repealed and replaced by a new Joint Action.

A financial reference amount, within the meaning of
point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May
1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and
the Commission on budgetary discipline and improve-
ment of the budgetary procedure (3) should be inserted
the
in this Joint Action for the whole duration of
programme, without prejudice to the competences of
the budgetary authority defined in the Treaty estab-
lishing the European Community,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The European Union assistance programme to support
1.
the Palestinian Authority (PA) in its efforts to counter terrorist
activities emanating from the territories under its control,
established by Joint Action 97/289/CFSP (hereinafter referred
to as ‘the programme’) shall be extended for a period of three
years.

2.
The objective of the programme is to support the PA's
capacity to counter terrorism, assist in the establishment of
related Palestinian administrative structures, help sustain the
Middle East Peace Process and provide the relevant security and
police services with assistance and training that are fully
compatible with the principles of human rights and respect for
the rule of law.

Article 2

The programme shall consist of
1.
carried out in the following main areas:

individual projects

On 24 January 2000 the Council reiterated the Euro-
pean Union's continued commitment to the Palestinian
track of the Middle East Peace Process and its support of
the Palestinian Authority.

(a) improved organisational capacity;

(b) improved operational capacity; and

(c) post-incident management.

is,

therefore, appropriate to adopt a multiannual
reference

It
programme and to establish a financial
amount for the period covered by this programme.

The Council notes that the Commission intends to direct
2.
its actions towards achieving the objectives and priorities of
this Joint Action, notably in the field of human rights, by
pertinent Community measures.

(1) OJ L 120, 12.5.1997, p. 2.
(2) OJ L 171, 7.7.1999, p. 1.

(3) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

19.4.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 97/5

Article 3

Article 6

Specific implementing decisions regarding individual projects
shall be taken by the Presidency, in the light of the opinion of a
Committee chaired by the Presidency and composed of anti-
terrorism experts from the Member States. Such opinion may
be collected by simplified written procedure. The Commission
shall be associated fully to the work of this Committee.

Article 4

1.
Joint
The European Union adviser appointed under
Action 97/289/CFSP (hereinafter referred to as the ‘EU adviser’)
is confirmed in his tasks under this Joint Action. He shall
continue to oversee the implementation of the programme and
monitor the proper use of European Union-provided capabili-
ties for the purposes of implementing Article 2(1), without
prejudice to the review mentioned in Article 7(3).

2.
The EU adviser shall be guided by the Presidency and
shall report, under the Presidency's authority, to the Council or
its designated instances on a regular basis and as the need
arises.

3.
In order to ensure coherence of European Union action
in support of the MEPP, in particular in the field of security
cooperation, the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/
High Representative, shall ensure coordination between the
activities of the European Union adviser and the European
Union Special Representative for the MEPP.

4.
The Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/High
Representative, and the Commission, within the scope of their
respective competences, shall ensure appropriate coordination
between the programme, Community assistance and the bilat-
eral assistance provided by the Member States. Member States
shall cooperate with the Presidency and the Commission to
that end.

Article 5

1.
The financial reference amount for the implementation of
this Joint Action shall be EUR 10 million. The budgetary
authority shall establish the amount of the credits authorised
the financial
for each financial year, within the limits of
perspectives.

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.
The European Union shall finance the infrastructure and
current expenditure of the EU adviser, including his salary and
the cost of his staff.

The privileges, immunities and further guarantees neces-
1.
sary for
the
the completion and smooth functioning of
programme and of the EU adviser and his international staff
shall be defined with the parties. The Member States and the
Commission shall grant all necessary support to that effect.

2.
The Council notes that the Presidency, Commission and
Member States, as appropriate, shall provide support in the
region.

Article 7

1.

2.

Periodic evaluations shall be conducted at agreed stages.

The programme shall be suspended if the PA fails:

(a) to cooperate
programme;

fully

in the

implementation of

the

(b) to take appropriate measures to ensure respect for human

rights in the implementation of the programme;

(c) to allow European Union monitoring and/or periodic

external evaluations to that effect.

The operational, administrative and financial aspects of
3.
the programme shall be reviewed on a yearly basis and when-
ever the need arises.

Article 8

Joint Action 97/289/CFSP and Decision 1999/440/CFSP

1.
are hereby repealed and replaced by this Joint Action.

2.
Notwithstanding paragraph 1, projects undertaken under
Joint Action 97/289/CFSP, as extended by Decision 1999/440/
CFSP, shall continue to be implemented within the framework
of this Joint Action.

Article 9

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

its

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Article 10

Done at Luxembourg, 13 April 2000.

For the Council

The President

A. VARA