Council Joint Action of 10 December 2002 amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the African Great Lakes Region
Date: 2002-12-10
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: East Africa, appointment of staff, international conflict, the EU's international role

11.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 334/5

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION

of 10 December 2002

amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the
African Great Lakes Region

(2002/962/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

(d) contribution to a consistent, sustainable and responsible
policy of the European Union in the African Great Lakes
Region.

Whereas:

The Special Representative shall support the work of the High
Representative in the region.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Council Joint Action 2000/792/CFSP of 14 December
2000 appointing the Special Representative of
the
European Union for the African Great Lakes Region (1) is
due to expire on 31 December 2002.

On the basis of a review of
mandate of
amended and extended.

the Special Representative

that

Joint Action,

the
should be

Clear lines of responsibility as well as the coordination
and consistency of the European Union external action
in the African Great Lakes Region should be ensured.

On 30 March 2000 the Council adopted guidelines on
the appointing procedure and administrative arrange-
ments
for European Union Special Representatives
(EUSRs),

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The mandate of Mr Aldo AJELLO as the European Union Special
Representative for the African Great Lakes Region is hereby
extended.

Article 2

The mandate of the Special Representative will be based on the
policy objectives of the European Union regarding the conflicts
in the African Great Lakes Region.

These objectives include:

(a) active and efficient contribution of the European Union to
a final settlement of the conflict in the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC) and the conflict in Burundi;

(b) particular attention to the regional dimension of the two

conflicts;

(c) ensurance of

the European
the continued presence of
Union on the ground and in relevant international fora,
staying in touch with key players and contribution to crisis
management;

Article 3

In order to achieve the objective, the mandate of the EU Special
Representative shall be to:

(a) establish and maintain close contact with all the parties to
the conflicts in the African Great Lakes Region, other coun-
tries of the region, the United States of America, other rele-
vant countries, as well as the UN and other relevant inter-
national organisations, the AU and subregional organisa-
tions and their representatives as well as other prominent
regional leaders in order to work with them in strength-
ening the peace processes of Lusaka and Arusha and the
peace agreements concluded in Pretoria and Luanda;

(b) observe the peace negotiations between the parties and
offer the European Union's advice and good offices as
appropriate;

(c) contribute, where requested,

to the implementation of
peace and cease fire agreements reached between the
parties and engage with them diplomatically in the event of
non-compliance with the terms of these agreements;

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

(e) contribute to and cooperate with the Special Representative
of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the Great
Lakes Region on the preparation of a Conference on Peace,
Security, Democracy and Development in the Great Lakes
Region;

(f) report on the possibilities for European Union intervention
in the peace process and on the best way of pursuing
European Union initiatives;

(g) monitor actions by the parties to the conflicts, which might
prejudice the outcome of the ongoing peace processes;

(1) OJ L 318, 16.12.2000, p. 1. Joint Action as amended by Joint

Action 2001/876/CFSP (OJ L 326, 11.12.2001, p. 3).

(h) contribute to a better understanding of

the European

Union's role among opinion leaders in the region.

L 334/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

11.12.2002

Article 4

1.
The Special Representative shall be responsible for the
implementation of the mandate acting under the authority and
operational direction of the High Representative. The Special
Representative shall be accountable to the High Representative
for administrative expenditure and to the Commission for any
operational expenditure incurred in respect of activities.

2.
The Special Representative shall maintain a privileged link
with the Political and Security Committee (PSC), which shall be
the primary point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall
provide strategic guidance and political
input to the Special
Representative within the framework of the mandate.

Article 5

The Special Representative shall conclude a contract with

1.
the Council.

The Presidency, Commission and/or Member States, as

2.
appropriate, will provide logistical support in the region.

Article 6

The Special Representative shall be responsible for the
1.
constitution of his team and shall inform the Council and the
Commission thereon through the High Representative.

2. Member States and institutions of the European Union
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 institution of the European
Union to the Special Representative shall be covered by the
Member State or
the European Union
concerned respectively.

the institution of

3.
All A-type posts to be filled shall be published in Member
States and institutions of the European Union and taken up by
the best qualified applicants.

The privileges, immunities and further guarantees neces-
4.
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 Commission
shall grant all necessary support to such effect.

Article 7

As a rule, the Special Representative will report in person to
the High Representative and to the PSC and may report also to
the relevant Working Group. Regular written reports will be

circulated to the High Representative, Council and Commission.
The Special Representative may report to the General Affairs
and External Relations Council on the recommendation of the
High Representative and the PSC.

Article 8

To ensure the consistency of external action of the European
Union, the activities of the Special Representative shall be coor-
dinated with those of the High Representative, the Presidency
and the Commission. In the field, close liaison shall be main-
tained with the Presidency, the Commission and the Heads of
Mission who shall make their best efforts to assist the Special
Representative in the implementation of
the mandate. The
Special Representative shall also liaise with other international
actors in the field.

Article 9

The implementation of this Joint Action and its consistency
with other contributions from the European Union to the
region shall be kept under regular review. The Special Repre-
sentative shall present a comprehensive written report on the
implementation of the mandate to the High Representative, the
Council and the Commission two months before the mandate
expires, which shall form a basis for evaluation of the Joint
Action in the relevant Working Groups and by the PSC. In the
context of overall priorities for deployment, the High Represen-
tative shall make recommendations to the PSC concerning the
Council's decision on renewal, amendment or termination of
the mandate.

Article 10

This Joint Action shall enter into force on 1 January 2003.

It shall apply until 30 June 2003.

Article 11

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 10 December 2002.

For the Council

The President

P. S. MØLLER