2000/792/CFSP: Council Joint Action of 14 December 2000 appointing the Special Representative of the European Union for the African Great Lakes Region and repealing Joint Action 96/250/CFSP
Date: 2000-12-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: East Africa, appointment of staff, international conflict, joint action, settlement of disputes, the EU's international role

16.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 318/1

(Acts adopted pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union)

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION

of 14 December 2000

appointing the Special Representative of the European Union for the African Great Lakes Region
and repealing Joint Action 96/250/CFSP

(2000/792/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in partic-
ular Article 14 and Article 18(5) thereof,

Article 1

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

The European Union wishes to assist in resolving the
crises affecting the African Great Lakes Region.

For this reason, the European Union intends to support
the efforts of the United Nations Organisation (UNO),
the Organisation of African Unity (OAU),
the sub-
regional organisations and all the prominent figures and
parties involved, to find a lasting and comprehensive
peaceful solution to the political, economic and humani-
tarian problems facing the region.

Joint Action 96/250/CFSP of the Council of 25 March
1996 in relation to the nomination of a Special Envoy
for the African Great Lakes Region (1), the application of
which was last extended by Joint Action 2000/347/
CFSP (2), expires on 31 December 2000.

On the basis of the review of Joint Action 96/250/CFSP,
the mandate of the Council's Special Envoy should be
extended.

On 30 March 2000 the Council adopted guidelines on
appointing procedure and administrative arrangements
concerning European Union Special Representatives. The
arrangements for the European Union Special Repres-
entative need to be adjusted in accordance with these
guidelines.

For reasons of transparency and clarity, the provisions
concerning the European Union Special Representative
for the African Great Lakes Region should be incor-
porated into a single text and Joint Action 96/250/CFSP
thus repealed,

(1) OJ L 87, 4.4.1996, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 122, 24.5.2000, p. 6.

Mr Aldo Ajello is hereby appointed European Union Special
Representative (hereinafter referred to as ‘Special Representa-
tive’) for the African Great Lakes Region.

Article 2

1.
The Special Representative shall support the efforts aimed
at creating the necessary conditions for a lasting and peaceful
solution to the crises affecting the African Great Lakes Region,
including preparations, at the appropriate time, for an inter-
national conference on peace, stability, democracy and devel-
opment in the African Great Lakes Region.

In particular, the mandate of the Special Representative

2.
shall be to:

— support the efforts of the UNO, the OAU, sub-regional
organisations and their various representatives to bring an
end to the conflicts in the region, as well as those of the
prominent African figures who are assisting these organ-
isations;

— establish and maintain close contact with the governments
of the countries in the region and with other interested
governments and international organisations in order to
identify measures which need to be taken towards solving
the problems of the region;

— where appropriate, establish contact with other prominent
figures and parties who might have a role to play in settling
the conflicts in the region.

Article 3

The Special Representative shall conclude a contract as

1.
‘Special Adviser’ with the Council.

2.
The Special Representative shall be responsible for imple-
menting his/her mandate, including the constitution of his/her
team, in consultation with the Presidency, assisted by the Secre-
tary-General/High Representative, and in full association with
the Commission.

L 318/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16.12.2000

3. Member States and institutions of the European Union
(EU) may propose the secondment of staff to work with the
Special Representative. The remuneration of personnel who
might be seconded by a Member State or an EU institution to
the Special Representative shall be covered by the Member
State or the EU institution concerned respectively.

4.
All A-type posts to be filled shall be published in Member
States and EU institutions and taken up by the best qualified
applicants.

5.
The privileges, immunities and further guarantees neces-
sary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission
of the Special Representative and the members of his staff shall
be defined with the parties. Member States and the Commis-
sion shall grant all necessary support to such effect.

The Presidency, Commission and/or Member States, as

6.
appropriate, will provide logistical support in the region.

Article 4

The Special Representative shall report directly to the Secretary-
General/High Representative. He shall be accountable to him as
regards the administrative costs incurred in connection with
his/her activities.

Article 5

1.
The Special Representative shall submit regular reports
on his/her own initiative or when requested, to the Council

through the
reports shall also be forwarded to the Commission.

Secretary-General/High Representative.

Such

2.
The implementation of this Joint Action shall be kept
under regular review, taking into account notably the develop-
ment of, and consistency with, other EU contributions to the
region.

Article 6

Joint Action 96/250/CFSP shall be repealed.

Article 7

This Joint Action shall enter into force on 1 January 2001.

It shall apply until 31 December 2001.

Article 8

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 14 December 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. GLAVANY