2000/794/CFSP: Council Joint Action of 14 December 2000 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process and repealing Joint Action 96/676/CFSP
Date: 2000-12-14
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Middle East, appointment of staff, joint action, peacekeeping, the EU's international role

16.12.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 318/5

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION

of 14 December 2000

appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process and
repealing Joint Action 96/676/CFSP

(2000/794/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Whereas:

relevant international organisations, in order to work with
them in strengthening the peace process;

(b) observe peace negotiations between the parties and be
ready to offer the European Union's advice and good
offices should the parties request this;

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

Joint Action 96/676/CFSP of
the Council of 25
November 1996 in relation to the nomination of a
European Union special envoy for the Middle East peace
process (1),

is due to expire on 31 December 2000.

to the implementation of
(c) contribute, where requested,
reached between parties and
international agreements
engage with them diplomatically in the event of non-
compliance with the terms of these agreements;

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 96/676/CFSP,
the mandate of the Special Representative should be
extended.

It is also important to ensure coordination and coher-
ence of the European Union approach in the Middle
East.

On 30 March 2000 the Council adopted guidelines on
the appointing procedure and administrative arrange-
ments
for European Union Special Representatives
(EUSRs). The arrangements applicable to the EUSR
should be adjusted in accordance with those guidelines.

For reasons of transparency and clarity, the provisions
applicable to the EUSR should be set out in a single text
and Joint Action 96/676/CFSP should therefore be
repealed,

(d) engage constructively with signatories to agreements within
the framework of the peace process in order to promote
compliance with the basic norms of democracy, including
respect for human rights and the rule of law;

(e) report to the Council's bodies on the possibilities for Euro-
pean Union intervention in the peace process and on the
best way of pursuing European Union initiatives and
ongoing Middle East peace process-related European Union
business, including the political aspects of relevant Euro-
pean Union development projects;

(f) monitor actions by either side which might prejudice the

outcome of the permanent status negotiations;

(g) develop joint cooperation on security issues within the
EU-Palestinian Permanent Security Committee set up on 9
April 1998;

(h) contribute to a better understanding of the EU's role among

opinion leaders in the region.

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

Article 3

Mr Miguel Angel Moratinos is hereby appointed the European
Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process.

Article 2

The mandate of the Special Representative shall be to:

(a) establish and maintain close contact with all the parties to
the peace process, other countries of the region, the United
States of America and other interested countries, as well as

1.
The financial reference amount intended to cover the
operational expenditure related to the mission of the Special
Representative shall be set at EUR 1 285 280 for the year
2001.

2.
The amount specified in paragraph 1 shall be allocated to
financing the expenditure of the EU-Israel Forum and the Final
Status Task Forces, and that relating to cooperation through
the EU-Palestinian Security Committee.

(1) OJ L 315, 4.12.1996, p. 1.

Joint Action as last extended and
amended by Joint Action 1999/843/CFSP (OJ L 326, 18.12.1999,
p. 71).

3.
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.

L 318/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

16.12.2000

Article 4

Article 6

The Special Representative shall conclude a special advis-

1.
er's contract with the Council.

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

3. Member States and European Union institutions may
propose the secondment of staff to work with the Special
Representative. The remuneration of personnel seconded by a
Member State or a European Union institution to the Special
Representative shall be covered by the Member State or Euro-
pean Union institution concerned.

4.
All A-type posts shall be published in Member States and
European Union institutions and filled 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, shall provide logistical support in the region.

The Special Representative shall submit regular reports,
1.
on his own initiative or when requested,
to the Council
through the Secretary-General/High Representative. These
reports shall also be forwarded to the Commission.

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 European Union contribu-
tions to the region.

In particular the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-
3.
General/High Representative,
coordination
between the activities of the Special Representative and the EU
adviser appointed under 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 (1).

ensure

shall

Joint Action 96/676/CFSP is hereby repealed.

Article 7

Article 8

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

It shall apply until 31 December 2001.

Article 5

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Article 9

1.
The Special Representative shall report directly to the
Secretary-General/High Representative. He shall be accountable
to the Secretary-General/High Representative for administrative
expenditure incurred in respect of his activities.

2.
The management of operational expenditure shall be
subject to a contract between the Special Representative and
the Commission.

Done at Brussels, 14 December 2000.

For the Council

The President

J. GLAVANY

(1) OJ L 97, 19.4.2000, p. 4.