2001/801/CFSP: Council Joint Action of 19 November 2001 regarding European Union support for the establishment of an interim multinational security presence in Burundi
Date: 2001-11-19
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Burundi, international security, multinational force, peacekeeping, the EU's international role

20.11.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 303/7

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION

of 19 November 2001

regarding European Union support for the establishment of an interim multinational security
presence in Burundi

(2001/801/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

(6)

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

Whereas:

The Council notes that the Commission intends to direct
its action towards achieving the other objectives and
priorities set out in United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1375 (2001), as a means of contributing to
consolidation of the peace process and implementation
of
the Arusha Peace Agreement, by appropriate
Community measures,

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

On 29 October 2001 the United Nations Security
Council adopted Resolution 1375 (2001), in which it
commends the efforts of the South African Government
and other UN Member States to support implementation
of the Arusha Agreement and strongly endorses in this
regard the establishment of an interim multinational
security presence in Burundi, at
the
Burundian Government, to protect returning political
leaders and train an all-Burundian protection force.

the request of

A coordinated European Union support programme
designed to implement the measures outlined in this
Joint Action is required to launch the peace process.

The situation in 2001 has been highly volatile, with two
attempted coups d'état and continuing violence. With
regard to the negotiations on implementing the Peace
Agreement signed in August 2000, despite the lack of a
ceasefire, substantial progress has been made, particu-
larly in July 2001, when a consensus was reached on the
arrangements
transition to democracy, and in
October 2001, when a decision was taken on the
protection of politicians returning from exile. Such
protection should be guaranteed by an interim multina-
tional security presence whose powers were to be trans-
ferred to an all-Burundian protection force.

for

In addition to support from the United Nations Security
Council, it is essential for the political viability of this
initiative aimed at ensuring the safety of opposition
leaders returning from exile that the consensus among
the political representatives in Burundi be maintained
and that the Status of Forces Agreement endorsed by the
Governments involved, concerning the conditions of
deployment and mandate of the interim multinational
security force, be observed.

The medium-term viability of the objectives set out in
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1375
(2001)
financial
is also dependent on a significant
contribution from the whole International Community.

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

In the context of its support for the Arusha Agreement and
Burundian efforts to implement that Agreement, the European
Union endorses the initiative aimed at establishing an interim
multinational security presence in Burundi with a view to
protecting returning political leaders as part of the process of
installing a transitional government.

Article 2

1.
The European Union shall provide financial support to
cover certain expenditure incurred during the deployment
phase of the said interim multinational security presence in
Burundi. The reference amount shall be EUR 9,5 million.

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.
Expenditure shall become eligible as from 25 October 2001.

Article 3

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

It shall expire on 1 June 2002.

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Article 4

Done at Brussels, 19 November 2001.

For the Council

The President

L. MICHEL