Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1152 of 22 May 2026 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process and amending Decision (CFSP) 2025/976
Date: 2026-05-22
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Middle East, Palestine question, diplomatic representation, settlement of disputes, the EU's international role




L_202601152EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2026/1152


26.5.2026







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1152
         
of 22 May 2026
         
extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process and amending Decision (CFSP) 2025/976


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 33 in conjunction with 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 25 November 1996, the Council agreed to appoint a European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Middle East Peace Process.












(2)


On 20 May 2025, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2025/976 (1), appointing Mr Christophe BIGOT as the EUSR for the Middle East Peace Process. The EUSR’s mandate expires on 31 May 2026.












(3)


The resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a strategic priority for the Union and the Union must remain actively engaged until that conflict is solved on the basis of the two-state solution.












(4)


The Union is committed to a comprehensive and lasting peace for the entire Middle East region and stands ready to work to that end together with regional and international partners.












(5)


The EUSR’s mandate should be extended for a further period of 21 months and a new financial reference amount for the period from 1 June 2026 to 29 February 2028 should be established.












(6)


The EUSR will implement the mandate in the context of a challenging regional 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) 2025/976 is amended as follows:






(1)


Article 1 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 1
European Union Special Representative
Mr Christophe BIGOT is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Middle East Peace Process from 2 June 2025 to 31 May 2026.
The mandate of Mr Christophe BIGOT as the EUSR for the Middle East Peace Process is extended until 29 February 2028.
The Council may decide that the mandate of the EUSR be terminated earlier, on the basis of an assessment by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the “High Representative”).’
;









(2)


in Article 2, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1.   The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the overall policy objective of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace that should be achieved on the basis of a two-state solution, with Israel and a democratic, contiguous, viable, peaceful and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side within secure and recognised borders, enjoying normal relations with their neighbours in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and recalling other relevant UNSC Resolutions, including UNSC Resolutions 2334 (2016) and 2803 (2025), the Madrid principles, including land for peace, the Roadmap, the agreements previously reached by the parties, the Arab Peace Initiative and the recommendations of the Middle East Quartet of 1 July 2016. In light of the different strands of Israeli-Arab relations, the regional dimension constitutes an essential component for a comprehensive peace.’
;









(3)


Article 3(1) is amended as follows:






(a)


point (a) is replaced by the following:






‘(a)


provide an active and efficient Union contribution to actions and initiatives leading to a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state solution and in line with the Union parameters and relevant UNSC Resolutions, including UNSC Resolutions 2334 (2016) and 2803 (2025), and put forward proposals for Union action in this regard;’




;










(b)


the following point is inserted:






‘(da)


contribute to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2803 (2025);’




;














(4)


in Article 4, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

‘4.   The EUSR will undertake regular visits to the region and will ensure close coordination with relevant Union Delegations across the region, including the Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA) and the European Union Delegation to the State of Israel, and, through them, with Member States’ diplomatic representations.’
;









(5)


in Article 5(1), the following subparagraph is added:
‘The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure for the period from 1 June 2026 until 29 February 2028 shall be EUR 2 754 227,42.’;









(6)


in Article 6, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:

‘4.   The EUSR’s team shall be co-located with the relevant EEAS department, the European Union Delegation to the State of Israel and the Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA) in order to ensure the coherence and consistency of their respective activities.’
;









(7)


Article 13 is amended as follows:






(a)


in paragraph 1, the fourth sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The EUSR shall provide regular briefings to the Union’s Delegations and to Member States’ diplomatic representations, including the Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA) and the European Union Delegation to the State of Israel.’;









(b)


in paragraph 2, the third sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The EUSR, in close coordination with the Head of the European Union Delegation to the State of Israel and the Office of the European Union Representative (West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA), shall provide the Heads of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) and of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) with local political guidance.’;













(8)


in Article 15, the second sentence is replaced by the following:
‘The EUSR shall present the High Representative, the Council and the Commission with regular progress reports and a final comprehensive mandate implementation report by 30 November 2027.’.






Article 2

Entry into force

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




Done at Brussels, 22 May 2026.


For the Council


The President

M. DAMIANOS
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/976 of 20 May 2025 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process (OJ L, 2025/976, 21.5.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/976/oj).


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1152/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)