2003/563/CFSP: Council Decision 2003/563/CFSP of 29 July 2003 on the extension of the European Union military operation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Date: 2003-07-29
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: North Macedonia, military cooperation, the EU's international role

L 190/20

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

30.7.2003

COUNCIL DECISION 2003/563/CFSP

of 29 July 2003

on the extension of the European Union military operation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in parti-
cular Article 17(2),

Having regard to Joint Action 2003/92/CFSP of 27 January
2003 on the European Union military operation in the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1),

Whereas:

Council Decision 2003/202/CFSP of 18 March 2003
relating to the launch of the EU military operation in the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (2) states that
the EU operation in the
the anticipated duration of
Former Yugoslav Republic of Yugoslavia is six months
from 31 March 2003.

By letter addressed to the Secretary General/High Repre-
sentative, dated 4 July 2003, the President of the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr Trajkovski, invited
the European Union to extend Operation Concordia
until 15 December 2003 with the existing mandate and
legal framework.

On 7 July 2003,
expressed the opinion that
extended until 15 December 2003.

the Committee of Contributors
the operation should be

The Political and Security Committee assessed the
progress of Operation Concordia and agreed, taking into
the European Union Military
account
Committee dated 7 July 2003, on 11 July 2003, to
recommend that the Operation should be extended until
15 December 2003.

the advice of

On 24 July 2003 the European Union Military
Committee submitted to the Political and Security
Committee a military advice on the provision of a Force
Headquarters for the Operation beyond 30 September
2003.

An exchange of Letters took place with NATO on the
continuation of the release, monitoring, return and recall
of NATO assets and capabilities for an EU military
operation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Mace-
donia, under
the specific agreement
the terms of
between EU and NATO dated 17 March 2003.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(11)

(12)

The Council agreed on 21 July 2003 to extend the
operation under the previous terms for a brief additional
period until 15 December 2003, expressed its apprecia-
tion for France's performance so far as Framework
Nation at the Force Headquarters level and welcomed
the offer from Eurofor to take over from France the
the Force Headquarters
Framework responsibilities at
level.

The financial parameters of Concordia are not expected
to change as of 1 October 2003. Therefore, the applica-
tion of Article 7(3) of the Financial Regulation annexed
to the Council Decision of 27 January 2003 establishing
an operational financing mechanism for the financing of
the shared costs of an European Union military opera-
tion in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is
not relevant for the remaining period of Concordia.

The deadlines foreseen by Article 9(2) of
Financial Regulation can not be complied with.

the above

The Political and Security Committee will continue to
examine the situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia in view of further appropriate decisions to
be adopted by the Council.

In conformity with Article 6 of the Protocol on the posi-
tion of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European
Union and to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, Denmark does not participate in the
elaboration and implementation of decisions and actions
of the European Union which have defence implications.
Denmark does not participate in the financing of the
operation,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The European Union military operation in the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia shall be extended until 15 December
2003.

Article 2

Nations of Eurofor proposed on 17 July 2003 that
Eurofor provides the framework for the Force Headquar-
ters for Operation Concordia as of 1 October 2003.

1. Major General Luis Nelson Ferreira dos Santos
appointed EU Force Commander as of 1 October 2003.

is

(1) OJ L 34, 11.2.2003, p. 26.
(2) OJ L 76, 22.3.2003, p. 43.

Eurofor takes over from France the responsibilities at the

2.
Force Headquarters level as of 1 October 2003.

30.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 190/21

Article 3

Article 4

1.
Article 7(3) of the Financial Regulation annexed to the
Council Decision of 27 January 2003 establishing an Opera-
tional Financing Mechanism for the financing of the common
costs of a European Union military operation in the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia shall not apply.

2.
Notwithstanding Article 9(2) of the above Financial Regu-
lation, the budget for the following financial period shall be
approved by the Presidency at the latest on 30 September
2003.

of

The

administrator

Financing
3.
Mechanism for the financing of
the common costs of a
European Union military operation in the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia is allowed to call contributions from
the contributing member states up to EUR 800 000.

the Operational

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

Article 5

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

Done at Brussels, 29 July 2003.

For the Council

The President

F. FRATTINI