Council Joint Action 2003/496/CFSP of 7 July 2003 concerning the appointment of an EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus
Date: 2003-07-07
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Caucasus countries, appointment of staff, permanent representation to the EU, the EU's international role

L 169/74

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

8.7.2003

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2003/496/CFSP

of 7 July 2003

concerning the appointment of an EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

(e) to enhance EU effectiveness and visibility in the region.

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in
particular Article 14, Article 18(5) and Article 23(2) thereof,

The EUSR shall support the work of the High Representa-

2.
tive in the region.

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The Council has stated its willingness to play a more
active political role in the South Caucasus (Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia).

There is a need to ensure clear lines of responsibility, as
well as the coordination and consistency of external
actions of the European Union in the South Caucasus.

Article 3

In order to further the policy objectives referred to in Article 2,
the mandate of the EUSR shall be to:

(a) develop contacts with governments, parliaments, judiciary

and civil society in the region;

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

(b) encourage Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to cooperate
on regional themes of common interest, such as common
security threats, the fight against terrorism, trafficking and
organised crime;

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

Mr Heikki TALVITIE is hereby appointed as the EUSR for the
South Caucasus.

Article 2

1.
The objective of the EUSR shall be to contribute to the
implementation of the policy objectives of the European Union
in the South Caucasus, as defined and updated by the Council.
These policy objectives include:

(a) to assist Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia in carrying out
political and economic reforms, notably in the fields of rule
of law, democratisation, human rights, good governance,
development and poverty reduction;

(b) in accordance with existing mechanisms,

to prevent
conflicts in the region,
in the resolution of
including
conflicts, and to prepare the return of peace,
through promoting the return of refugees and internally
displaced persons (IDPs);

to assist

(c) to engage constructively with key national actors neigh-

bouring the region;

(c) contribute to the prevention of conflicts, and to prepare the
return of peace to the region,
including through recom-
mendations for action related to civil society and rehabilita-
tion of territories without prejudice to the Commission's
responsibilities under the EC Treaty;

(d) assist in conflict resolution, in particular to enable the EU
better to support the United Nations Secretary General and
his Special Representative for Georgia, the Group of Friends
of the United Nations Secretary General for Georgia, the
OSCE Minsk Group, and the conflict resolution mechanism
for South Ossetia under the aegis of the OSCE;

(e) intensify EU dialogue with the main interested actors,

concerning the region;

(f) assist the Council in further developing a comprehensive

policy towards the South Caucasus.

Article 4

The EUSR, acting under the authority and operational direction
of the High Representative, shall be responsible for implemen-
tation of the mandate referred to in Article 3.

The EUSR 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 EUSR within the framework
of the mandate.

(d) to encourage and to support further cooperation between
States of the region, in particular between the States of the
South Caucasus, including on economic, energy and trans-
port issues;

As a rule, the EUSR will report in person to the High Represen-
tative 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.

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 169/75

the external action of

the
To ensure the consistency of
European Union, the activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated
with those of the High Representative, the Presidency and the
Commission. In the field, close liaison shall be maintained with
the Presidency, the Commission and Heads of Mission of EU
Member States. The EUSR shall also liaise with other interna-
tional actors in the field, in particular the UN, the OSCE and
the Council of Europe.

Article 5

The administrative expenditure of the EUSR shall be covered
exceptionally by Finland.

The EUSR shall be accountable to the High Representative for
administrative expenditure and to the Commission for any
operational expenditure incurred in respect of activities.

the EUSR shall present a
Before this Joint Action expires,
comprehensive written report
to the High Representative,
Council and Commission making recommendations on how
further to enhance EU policy on the South Caucasus. This
report shall form a basis for evaluation of the Joint Action in
the relevant Working Groups and by the PSC.

In the context of decisions by the Council on the further devel-
opment of EU policy towards the South Caucasus, the High
Representative
to the PSC
concerning the Council's decision on renewal, amendment or
termination of the mandate of the EUSR.

recommendations

shall make

Article 8

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

Article 6

It shall apply until 31 December 2003.

the Commission and/or Member States, as
The Presidency,
appropriate, will assist the EUSR in the implementation of the
mandate,
logistical support
when the EUSR is travelling. The Council Secretariat will
provide additional support as necessary.

including through provision of

The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for
the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the
EUSR shall be worked out as appropriate. Member States and
the Commission shall grant all necessary support to this effect.

Article 7

The implementation of this Joint Action, and its consistency
with other EU contributions to the region, shall be kept under
regular review.

Article 9

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal of the
European Union.

Done at Brussels, 7 July 2003.

For the Council

The President

F. FRATTINI