Council Joint Action 2003/870/CFSP of 8 December 2003 amending and extending the mandate of the Special Representative of the European Union in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Date: 2003-12-08
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: North Macedonia, appointment of staff, diplomatic representation, the EU's international role

13.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 326/39

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2003/870/CFSP

of 8 December 2003

amending and extending the mandate of the Special Representative of the European Union in the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in par-
ticular, Articles 14, 18(5) and 23(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

the Council adopted Joint
On 10 December 2002,
Action 2002/963/CFSP (1) amending and extending the
mandate of the Special Representative of the European
Union in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

On 16 June 2003, the Council adopted Joint Action
2003/446/CFSP amending and extending the mandate of
the Special Representative until 31 December 2003.

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 2002/963/CFSP,
the mandate of the Special Representative should be
extended and amended.

On 17 November 2003, the Council adopted guidelines
on the appointment, mandate and financing for Euro-
pean Union Special Representatives,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The mandate of Mr Alexis BROUHNS as the European Union
Special Representative (EUSR) in the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia is hereby extended.

Article 2

The mandate of the EUSR will be based on the policy objective
of the European Union in the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, which shall be to contribute to the consolidation of
the peaceful political process and the full implementation of
the Framework Agreement, thereby facilitating further progress
towards European integration through the Stabilisation and
Association Process.

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

Article 3

In order to achieve the policy objective, the mandate of the
EUSR shall be to:

(a) maintain close contact with the Government of the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and with the parties
involved in the political process;

(b) offer the European Union's advice and facilitation in the

political process;

(1) OJ L 334, 11.12.2002, p. 7; Joint Action amended by Joint Action

2003/446/CFSP (OJ L 150, 18.6.2003, p. 71).

(c) ensure coordination of

the international community's
efforts to help in the implementation and sustainability of
the provisions of the Framework Agreement of 13 August
2001, as set out in the Agreement and its Annexes;

(d) follow closely and report on security and interethnic issues

and liaising with all relevant bodies to that end;

(e) give guidance, as necessary, to the Head of Mission/Police
the European Union Police Mission

Commissioner of
(EUPOL/Proxima);

(f) together with the Head of Mission/Police Commissioner of
EUPOL/Proxima and in coordination with the presidency,
conduct a regular dialogue with the authorities of
the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the progress of
EUPOL/Proxima.

Article 4

1.
The EUSR shall be responsible for the implementation of
the mandate acting under the authority and operational direc-
tion of the High Representative. The EUSR shall be accountable
to the Commission for all expenditure.

The Political and Security Committee (‘PSC’) shall main-
2.
tain a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the primary
point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide stra-
tegic guidance and political
to the EUSR within the
framework of the mandate.

input

Article 5

The financial reference amount intended to cover the
the EUSR shall be

1.
expenditure related to the mandate of
EUR 370 000.

2.
The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in
paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the proce-
dures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Euro-
pean Union with the exception that any prefinancing shall not
remain the property of the Community.

The management of the expenditure shall be subject to a

3.
contract between the EUSR and the Commission.

The Presidency, Commission, and/or Member States, as

4.
appropriate, will provide logistical support in the region.

Article 6

1. Within the limits of his mandate and the corresponding
financial means made available, the EUSR is responsible for
constituting his team in consultation with the Presidency,
assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative, and in
full association with the Commission. The EUSR shall inform
the Presidency and the Commission of the final composition of
his team.

L 326/40

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

13.12.2003

2. Member States and institutions of the European Union
may propose the secondment of staff to work with the EUSR.
The remuneration of personnel who might be seconded by a
Member State or an institution of the European Union to the
EUSR shall be covered by the Member State or the institution
of the European Union concerned respectively.

3.
All A-grade posts which are not covered by secondment
will be advertised as appropriate by the General Secretariat of
the Council and also notified to Member States and institutions
in order to recruit the best-qualified applicants.

4.
The privileges, immunities and further guarantees neces-
sary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission
of the EUSR 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.

the EUSR in the implementation of the mandate. The EUSR
shall also liaise with other international and regional 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 EUSR shall
present a comprehensive written report on the implementation
the mandate to the High Representative, Council and
of
Commission two months before the mandate expires, which
shall form a basis for evaluation of the Joint Action in the rele-
vant working groups and by the PSC. In the context of overall
priorities for deployment, the High Representative shall make
recommendations to the PSC concerning the Council's decision
on renewal, amendment or termination of the mandate.

Article 7

Article 10

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. The EUSR 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 the external action of the Euro-
pean Union, the activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated
with those of the High Representative, the Presidency and the
Commission. EUSRs will provide regular briefings to Member
States' missions and Commission delegations. In the field, close
liaison shall be maintained with the Presidency, the Commis-
sion and Heads of Mission who shall make best efforts to assist

This Joint Action shall enter into force on 1 January 2004.

It shall apply until 30 June 2004.

Article 11

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

Done at Brussels, 8 December 2003.

For the Council

The President

F. FRATTINI