Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/285 of 22 February 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia
Date: 2021-02-22
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, diplomatic representation, the EU's international role




L_2021062EN.01005101.xml










23.2.2021   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


L 62/51








            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2021/285
of 22 February 2021
         
amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 33 and Article 31(2) thereof,


Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:







(1)


On 13 November 2017, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/2071 (1) appointing Mr Toivo KLAAR as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia.












(2)


On 25 June 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 (2) extending the mandate of the EUSR, as amended by Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/254 (3). The EUSR’s mandate is to expire on 28 February 2021.












(3)


The mandate of the EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia should be extended for a further period of 12 months and a new financial reference amount for the period from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022 should be established.












(4)


The EUSR will implement the mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 is amended as follows:






(1)


Article 1 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 1
European Union Special Representative
The mandate of Mr Toivo KLAAR as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia is extended until 28 February 2022. The Council may decide that the mandate of the EUSR be terminated earlier, based on an assessment of the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).’;











(2)


Article 3 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 3
Mandate
In order to achieve the policy objectives, the EUSR’s mandate shall be to:






(a)


develop contacts with governments, parliaments, other key political actors, the judiciary and civil society in the region;










(b)


encourage the countries in the region to cooperate and facilitate such cooperation on regional themes of common interest, such as common security threats, the fight against terrorism, illicit trafficking and organised crime; encourage and facilitate cross-border and trans-boundary cooperation where feasible to address local needs and build trust and reconciliation;










(c)


contribute to the peaceful settlement of conflicts in accordance with the principles of international law and facilitate the implementation of such settlement in close coordination with the United Nations and the OSCE; and in support of the OSCE Minsk Group and its co-chairs;










(d)


with respect to the crisis in Georgia:






(i)


help prepare for the international talks held under point 6 of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008, the Geneva International Discussions, and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008, including on arrangements for security and stability in the region, the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, on the basis of internationally recognised principles, and any other subject, by mutual agreement between the parties;










(ii)


help establish the Union’s position and represent it, at the level of the EUSR, in the talks referred to in point (i); and










(iii)


facilitate the implementation of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008 and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008;














(e)


facilitate the development and implementation of confidence-building measures in coordination with Member States’ expertise where available and appropriate;










(f)


facilitate and contribute to inclusive peace-building efforts within the societies with the aim of overcoming the conflicts and consolidating peace;










(g)


assist in the preparation, as appropriate, of Union contributions to possible conflict settlement;










(h)


intensify the Union’s dialogue with the main actors concerned regarding the region;










(i)


assist the Union in further developing a comprehensive policy towards the South Caucasus;










(j)


in the framework of the activities set out in this Article, contribute to the implementation of the Union’s human rights policy and the Union Guidelines on Human Rights, in particular with regard to children and women in areas affected by conflicts, especially by monitoring and addressing developments in this regard.’;















(3)


in Article 5(1), the following subparagraph is added:

                              ‘The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR’s mandate for the period from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022 shall be EUR 2 940 000.’;










(4)


in Article 14, first paragraph, the second sentence is replaced by the following:

                              ‘The EUSR shall present the Council, the HR and the Commission with regular progress reports and a final comprehensive mandate implementation report by 30 November 2021.’.






Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.




Done at Brussels, 22 February 2021.


For the Council


The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2071 of 13 November 2017 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (OJ L 295, 14.11.2017, p. 55).

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 of 25 June 2018 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (OJ L 161, 26.6.2018, p. 27).

(3)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/254 of 25 February 2020 amending Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (OJ L 54 I, 26.2.2020, p. 11).