Council Joint Action 2003/869/CFSP of 8 December 2003 amending and extending the mandate of the Special Representative of the European Union for the African Great Lakes Region
Date: 2003-12-08
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: East Africa, appointment of staff, diplomatic representation, the EU's international role

13.12.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 326/37

(Acts adopted pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union)

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2003/869/CFSP

of 8 December 2003

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

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)

On 10 December 2002 the Council adopted Joint Action
2002/962/CFSP (1) amending and extending the mandate
of the Special Representative of the European Union for
the African Great Lakes Region.

By Council Joint Action 2003/447/CFSP (2) of 16 June
2003 the mandate of the Special Representative was
extended until 31 December 2003.

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 2002/962/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 Aldo AJELLO as the European Union Special
Representative (EUSR) for the African Great Lakes Region is
hereby extended.

Article 2

The mandate of the EUSR will be based on the policy objectives
of
the European Union regarding the peace and transition
process in the African Great Lakes Region.

These objectives include:

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

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

in the two countries;

(1) OJ L 334, 11.12.2002, p. 5.
(2) OJ L 150, 18.6.2003, p. 72.

(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;

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

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

Article 3

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

(a) establish and maintain close contact with all the parties to
the peace and transition process in the African Great Lakes
Region, other countries of the region, the United States of
America, other relevant countries, as well as the United
Nations (UN) and other relevant international organisations,
the African Union (AU) and subregional organisations and
their representatives as well as other prominent regional
leaders in order to work with them in strengthening the
peace processes of Lusaka and Arusha and the peace agree-
ments concluded in Pretoria and Luanda;

(b) observe the peace negotiations and the peace and transition
process 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 ceasefire 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 UN for the Great Lakes
Region and the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the AU
on the preparation of a conference on peace, security,
democracy and development in the Great Lakes Region;

L 326/38

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

13.12.2003

(f) report on the possibilities for European Union intervention
in the peace and transition 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;

(h) contribute to a better understanding of

the European

Union's role among opinion leaders in the region.

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.

2.
The Political and Security Committee (PSC) shall maintain
a privileged link with the EUSR and 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.

Article 5

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

1.
expenditure related to the mandate of
EUR 510 000.

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 pre-financing 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/her mandate and the corre-
sponding financial means made available, the EUSR is respon-
sible for constituting his/her team in consultation with the
Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representa-
tive, and in full association with the Commission. The EUSR
shall inform the Presidency and the Commission of the final
composition of his team.

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.

The privileges, immunities and further guarantees neces-
4.
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.

Article 7

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, the Council and the 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
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
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 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 10

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