Council Joint Action 2006/119/CFSP of  20 February 2006  extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process
Date: 2006-02-20
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Middle East, common foreign and security policy, diplomatic representation, the EU's international role

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Official Journal of the European Union

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COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2006/119/CFSP

of 20 February 2006

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

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

These objectives include:

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

in

Whereas:

The mandate of the European Union Special Represen-
tative (EUSR) for the Middle East peace process as set out
in Council Joint Action 2003/873/CFSP of 8 December
2003 extending and amending the mandate of
the
Special Representative of the European Union for the
Middle East peace process (1)
is due to expire on 28
February 2006.

On 14 November 2005 the Council adopted Joint Action
2005/797/CFSP (2) on the European Union Police
Mission for the Palestinian territories, EUPOL COPPS,
which designates a specific role of the EUSR.

On 12 December 2005 the Council adopted Joint Action
2005/889/CFSP (3) establishing a European Union Border
Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM
Rafah), which also designates a specific role of the EUSR.

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 2003/873/CFSP,
the mandate of the EUSR should be revised and extended
for a 12-month period.

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(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
relations with their neighbours in accordance with United
Nations 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;

(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;

(e) the establishment of

sustainable and effective policing
arrangements under Palestinian ownership in accordance
with best international standards,
in cooperation with the
European Community's institution building programmes as
well as other international efforts in the wider context of
security sector, including criminal justice reform;

The EUSR is to implement his mandate in the context of
a situation which may deteriorate and could harm the
objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as
set out in Article 11 of the Treaty,

(f) providing a third party presence at the Rafah crossing point
in order to contribute, in cooperation with the Community's
institution-building efforts,
the Rafah
crossing point and to build up confidence between the
Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

to the opening of

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The mandate of Mr Marc OTTE as the European Union Special
Representative (EUSR)
for the Middle East peace process is
hereby extended until 28 February 2007.

Article 2

These objectives
commitment to:

are

based on the

European Union's

(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;

The mandate of
the EUSR shall be based on the policy
objectives of the European Union regarding the Middle East
peace process.

(b) continue to assist

in Palestinian security reforms, early

elections and political and administrative reforms;

(1) OJ L 326, 13.12.2003, p. 46. Joint Action as last amended by Joint

Action 2005/796/CFSP (OJ L 300, 17.11.2005, p. 64).

(2) OJ L 300, 17.11.2005, p. 65.
(3) OJ L 327, 14.12.2005, p. 28.

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

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The EUSR shall support the work of the Secretary-General/High
Representative
including in the
(SG/HR)
framework of the Middle East Quartet.

in the

region,

Article 3

In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate of the
EUSR 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-Palestinian conflict and of
the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese conflicts;

(b)

facilitate and maintain close contact with all the parties to
the
the Middle East peace process, other countries of
region, members of the Middle East Quartet and other
relevant countries, as well as the UN and other relevant
international organisations, in order to work with them in
strengthening the peace process;

(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;

(l)

develop and implement an EU programme relating to
security issues. To this end, the EUSR may be assisted by
an expert charged with the practical
implementation of
operational projects related to security issues;

(m) give guidance, as necessary, to the Head of Mission/Police
Commissioner of the European Union Coordinating Office
for Palestinian Police Support (EUPOL COPPS);

(n) give guidance, as necessary, to the Head of Mission of the
European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah
Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah).

(c)

ensure continued presence of the European Union on the
ground and in relevant international forums and contribute
to crisis management and prevention;

Article 4

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

The EUSR shall be responsible for the implementation of
1.
the mandate acting under
the authority and operational
direction of the SG/HR. The EUSR shall be accountable to the
Commission for all expenditure.

(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;

(f) pay particular attention to factors having implication for
the regional dimension of the Middle East peace process;

(g)

(h)

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;

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
contribution of the European Union to Palestinian reforms,
and including the political aspects of relevant European
Union development projects;

(i) monitor actions by either side on the implementation of
the roadmap and on issues that might prejudice the
outcome of the permanent status negotiations to enable
the Middle East Quartet
the parties'
compliance;

to better assess

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
to the EUSR within the
framework of the mandate.

and political

input

Article 5

1.
The financial reference amount
expenditure related to the mandate of
EUR 1 200 000.

intended to cover the
the EUSR shall be

The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in
2.
paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the
procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the
European Union with the exception that any pre-financing shall
not remain the property of the Community.

3.
The management of the expenditure shall be subject to a
contract between the EUSR and the Commission. Expenditure
shall be eligible as from 1 March 2006.

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

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

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Article 6

1. Within the limits of his mandate and the corresponding
financial means made available, the EUSR shall be responsible
for constituting his team in consultation with the Presidency,
assisted by the SG/HR, and in full association with the
Commission. The EUSR shall
inform the Presidency and the
Commission of the final composition of his team.

2.F 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-type posts which are not covered by secondment
shall be advertised as appropriate by the General Secretariat of
the Council and also notified to Member States and institutions
of the European Union in order to recruit the best-qualified
applicants.

The

privileges,

immunities

4.
guarantees
necessary 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.

further

and

EUSR shall provide regular briefings to Member States' missions
and Commission delegations. 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 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
to the SG/HR, Council and Commission a progress
present
report before the end of
June 2006 and a comprehensive
implementation report by mid-November 2006.
mandate
These reports shall form a basis for evaluation of this Joint
Action in the relevant working groups and by the PSC. In the
context of overall priorities for deployment, the SG/HR shall
make recommendations to the PSC concerning the Council’s
decision on renewal,
the
amendment or
mandate.

termination of

Article 10

This Joint Action shall enter into force on the date of
adoption.

its

Article 7

It shall apply from 1 March 2006.

Article 11

As a rule, the EUSR shall report in person to the SG/HR and to
the PSC and may report also to the relevant working group.
Regular written reports shall be circulated to the SG/HR,
Council and Commission. The EUSR may report
to the
General Affairs and External Relations Council on the recom-
mendation of the SG/HR and the PSC.

Article 8

To ensure the consistency of
the
European Union, the activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated
with those of the SG/HR, the Presidency and the Commission.

the external action of

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

Done at Brussels, 20 February 2006.

For the Council
The President

J. PRÖLL