Council Joint Action of 10 December 2002 amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process
Date: 2002-12-10
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Middle East, appointment of staff, peacekeeping, the EU's international role

11.12.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

L 334/11

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION

of 10 December 2002

amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Middle
East peace process

(2002/965/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,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Council Joint Action 2000/794/CFSP of 14 December
2000 appointing the European Union Special Represen-
tative for the Middle East peace process (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 Middle East should be ensured.

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The mandate of Mr Miguel MORATINOS as the European Union
Special Representative for the Middle East peace process is
hereby extended.

Article 2

The mandate of the Special Representative will be based on the
policy objectives of the European Union regarding the Middle
East peace process, as defined and updated by the Council.

These objectives include:

(a) a two-State solution with Israel and a democratic, viable,
peaceful and sovereign Palestinian State living side-by-side
within secure and recognised borders enjoying normal rela-
tions with their neighbours in accordance with UN Security
Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1402 and on the
principles of the Madrid conference;

(b) solution in the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese tracks;

(1) OJ L 318, 16.12.2000, p. 5. Joint Action as amended by Joint

Action 2001/800/CFSP (OJ L 303, 20.11.2001, p. 5).

(c) a fair solution to the complex issue of Jerusalem and a just,
viable and agreed solution to the problem of Palestinian
refugees;

(d) early convening of a peace conference, which should
address political and economic aspects as well as matters
relating to security, confirm the parameters of a political
solution and establish a realistic and well-defined timescale.

These objectives are based on the European Union's commit-
ment to:

(a) work with the parties and with partners in the international
community, especially within the framework of the Middle
East Quartet, to pursue every opportunity for peace and for
a decent future for all people of the region;

(b) continue to assist in Palestinian security reforms, early elec-

tions and political and administrative reforms;

(c) contribute fully to peace building, as well as to the recon-
struction of the Palestinian economy as an integral part of
regional development.

The Special Representative shall support work of High Repre-
sentative in the region,
including in the framework of the
Middle East Quartet.

Article 3

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

(a) provide an active and efficient contribution from the
European Union to actions and initiatives leading to a final
settlement of
the
Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese conflict;

the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and of

(b) facilitate and maintain close contact with all the parties to
the Middle East Peace Process, other countries of the region,
members of the Middle East Quartet and other relevant
countries, as well as the UN and other relevant interna-
tional organisations,
to work with them in
in order
strengthening the peace process;

(c) ensure continued presence of the European Union on the
ground and in relevant international fora and contribute to
crises management and prevention;

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

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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(e) contribute, where requested,

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

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

(f) particular attention to factors having implication for the

regional dimension of the Middle East Peace Process;

(g) 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;

(h) report on the possibilities for European 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 efforts, such as the contri-
bution of the European Union to Palestinian reforms, and
including the political aspects of relevant European Union
development projects;

(i) monitor actions by either side, that might prejudice the

outcome of the permanent status negotiations;

(j) facilitate

cooperation on security

issues within the
European Union-Palestinian Permanent Security Committee
set up on 9 April 1998 as well as in other ways;

(k) contribute to a better understanding of the role of the
European Union among opinion leaders in the region.

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.

4.
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 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 4

Article 8

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 external action of

the
To ensure the consistency of
European Union, the activities of the Special Representative
shall be coordinated with those of the High Representative, the
Presidency and the Commission. In order to ensure political
consistency and complementarity of action of the European
Union in the field of security cooperation, the activities of the
Special Representative and those of the EU Advisor appointed
Joint Action 2000/298/CFSP (1) of 13 April
under Council
2000 shall also be coordinated closely, with the Special Repre-
sentative providing political guidance. In the field, close liaison
shall be maintained with the Presidency, the Commission and
Heads of Mission who shall make best efforts to assist the
Special Representative in the implementation of the mandate.
The Special Representative shall also liaise with other interna-
tional actors in the field.

The Special Representative shall conclude a contract with

1.
the Council.

Article 9

The Presidency, Commission and/or Member States, as

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

Article 6

1.
The Special Representative shall be responsible for the
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

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,
Council and 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.

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

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Article 10

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

It shall apply until 30 June 2003.

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Article 11

Done at Brussels, 10 December 2002.

For the Council

The President

P. S. MØLLER