32003E0445

Council Joint Action 2003/445/CFSP

of 16 June 2003

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

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Whereas:

(1) Council Joint Action 2002/965/CFSP of 10 December 2002 amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process(1) applies until 30 June 2003.

(2) On the basis of a review of that Joint Action, the mandate of the Special Representative should be amended and extended.

(3) The Council should appoint a new EU Representative for the Middle East Peace Process.

(4) The EU's efforts in the security field should be consolidated.

(5) On 30 March 2000 the Council adopted guidelines on the appointing procedure and administrative arrangements for European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs),

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process as set out in Joint Action 2002/965/CFSP is hereby extended.

Article 2

The Council shall appoint an EU Special Representative for the Middle East peace process by means of a Council implementing decision.

Article 3

Joint Action 2002/965/CFSP is amended as follows:

1. the following subparagraph shall be inserted in Article 3:

"(l) Implement a EU programme relating to security issues. To this end, the EU Special Representative may be assisted by an expert charged with the practical implementation of operational projects related to security issues.";

2. Article 8 shall be replaced by the following:

"Article 8

To ensure the consistency of the external action of the European Union, the activities of the Special Representative shall be coordinated with those of the High Representative, the Presidency and the Commission. 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 Special Representative in the implementation of the mandate. The Special Representative shall also liaise with other international actors in the field."

Article 4

This Joint Action shall enter into force on 1 July 2003.

It shall apply until 31 December 2003.

Article 5

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

Done at Luxembourg, 16 June 2003.

For the Council

The President

G. Papandreou

(1) OJ L 334, 11.12.2002, p. 11.