(1)

On 10 June 1999 the Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the European Union and the Commission of the European Communities, together with the other participants in the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, agreed to establish a Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Stability Pact’.

(2)

Article 1(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1080/2000 provides for the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact to be appointed on an annual basis.

(3)

It is necessary to establish, together with the appointment, a mandate for the Special Coordinator. Experience has shown that the mandate laid down in Council Decision 2005/912/EC of 12 December 2005 on the appointment of the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe (2) for 2006 is appropriate. Further to the conclusions of the South-Eastern Europe Regional Table which endorsed on 30 May 2006 in Belgrade a transition plan to regional ownership, and in accordance with the Council conclusions of 12 June 2006, the mandate should put a special emphasis on the requirements of this transition.

(4)

It is appropriate to lay down clear lines of responsibility as well as guidance on coordination and reporting,

(a)

promote achievement of the Stability Pact’s objectives within, and between, the individual countries, where the Stability Pact proves to have an added value;

(b)

chair the South-Eastern Europe Regional Table;

(c)

maintain close contact with all participants and facilitating States, organisations and institutions of the Stability Pact, as well as relevant regional initiatives and organisations, with a view to fostering regional cooperation and enhancing regional ownership;

(d)

cooperate closely with all institutions of the European Union and its Member States in order to promote the role of the European Union in the Stability Pact in accordance with points 18, 19, and 20 of the Stability Pact document and to ensure complementarity between the work of the Stability Pact and the Stabilisation and Association Process;

(e)

meet periodically and collectively as appropriate with the Chairs of the Working Tables to ensure strategic overall coordination and act as the secretariat of the South-Eastern Europe Regional Table and its instruments;

(f)

work on the basis of a list, agreed in advance and in consultation with the participants in the Stability Pact, of priority actions for the Stability Pact to implement during 2007, and adjust the working methods and structures of the Stability Pact to the needs of the transition to regional ownership, ensuring consistency and efficient use of resources;

(g)

facilitate the implementation of the transition to regional ownership in accordance to the conclusions of the South-Eastern Europe Regional Table on 30 May 2006 and to this purpose work closely with the South-Eastern European Cooperation Process and its Secretary General when designated. Particular attention shall be given to the establishment of the Regional Cooperation Council and of a regional cooperation secretariat as well as on the streamlining of the various Task Forces and initiatives of the Stability Pact.