1.   The European Union shall conduct a military bridging operation in the Republic of Chad and in the Central African Republic, named EUFOR Tchad/RCA, in accordance with the mandate set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1778 (2007).

2.   The forces deployed to that effect shall operate in accordance with the political and strategic objectives approved by the Council on 12 September 2007.

1.   Under the responsibility of the Council, the PSC shall exercise the political control and strategic direction of the EU military operation. The Council hereby authorises the PSC to take the relevant decisions in accordance with Article 25 of the EU Treaty. This authorisation shall include the powers to amend the planning documents, including the Operation Plan, the Chain of Command and the Rules of Engagement. It shall also include the powers to take further decisions on the appointment of the EU Operation Commander and/or EU Force Commander. The powers of decision with respect to the objectives and termination of the EU military operation shall remain vested in the Council, assisted by the SG/HR.

2.   The PSC shall report to the Council at regular intervals.

3.   The PSC shall receive reports from the Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC) regarding the conduct of the EU military operation, at regular intervals. The PSC may invite the EU Operation Commander and/or EU Force Commander to its meetings, as appropriate.

1.   The EU Military Committee (EUMC) shall monitor the proper execution of the EU military operation conducted under the responsibility of the EU Operation Commander.

2.   The EUMC shall receive reports from the EU Operation Commander at regular intervals. It may invite the EU Operation Commander and/or EU Force Commander to its meetings as necessary.

3.   The CEUMC shall act as the primary point of contact with the EU Operation Commander.

1.   The Presidency, the SG/HR, the EUSR, the EU Operation Commander and the EU Force Commander respectively shall ensure close coordination of their respective activities with respect to the implementation of this Joint Action.

2.   Without prejudice to the chain of command, the EU Force Commander shall consult and take into account political guidance from the EUSR in particular on issues with a regional political dimension, except when decisions have to be taken urgently or when operational security is paramount.

1.   The SG/HR, assisted by the EUSR, shall, in close coordination with the Presidency, act as a primary point of contact with the United Nations, the Chadian authorities, the authorities of the Central African Republic and neighbouring countries, as well as with other relevant actors.

2.   The EU Operation Commander shall, in close coordination with the SG/HR, liaise with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in the United Nations on issues relevant to his mission.

3.   The EU Force Commander shall, on issues relevant to his mission, maintain close contacts with MINURCAT and local authorities, as well as with other international actors, as appropriate.

4.   Without prejudice to Article 12 of ATHENA, the SG/HR and the EU Commanders shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the United Nations regarding the modalities for mutual assistance and cooperation.

1.   Without prejudice to the decision-making autonomy of the European Union and to the single institutional framework, and in accordance with the relevant guidelines of the European Council, third States may be invited to participate in the operation.

2.   The Council hereby authorises the PSC to invite third States to offer a contribution and to take, upon the recommendation of the EU Operation Commander and the EUMC, the relevant decisions on acceptance of the proposed contributions.

3.   Detailed modalities regarding the participation of third States shall be the subject of agreements to be concluded in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24 of the EU Treaty. The SG/HR, assisting the Presidency, may negotiate such agreements on its behalf. Where the EU and a third State have concluded an agreement establishing a framework for the latter’s participation in the EU crisis management operations, the provisions of such an agreement shall apply in the context of this operation.

4.   Third States making significant military contributions to the EU military operation shall have the same rights and obligations in terms of day-to-day management of the operation as EU Member States taking part in the operation.

5.   The Council hereby authorises the PSC to take relevant decisions on the setting-up of a Committee of Contributors, should third States provide significant military contributions.

1.   The Council and the Commission shall ensure, each in accordance with its respective powers, consistency between the implementation of this Joint Action and external activities of the Community, in accordance with Article 3 of the EU Treaty. The Council and the Commission shall cooperate to this end.

2.   Arrangements for the coordination of the EU’s activities in the Republic of Chad and in the Central African Republic shall be established as appropriate on the ground as well as in Brussels.

1.   The common costs of the EU military operation shall be administered by ATHENA.

2.   The financial reference amount for the common costs of the EU military operation shall be EUR 99 200 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 33(3) of ATHENA shall be 50 %.

1.   The SG/HR is hereby authorised to release to the United Nations and to other third parties, associated with this Joint Action, EU classified information and documents generated for the purposes of the EU military operation up to the level of classification relevant respectively for each of them and in accordance with the Council Security Regulations.

2.   The SG/HR is hereby authorised to release to the United Nations and to other third parties, associated with this Joint Action, EU non-classified documents related to the deliberations of the Council with regard to the operation, covered by the obligation of professional secrecy pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Council Rules of Procedure (3).

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

2.   The EU military operation shall end no later than 12 months after having reached Initial Operating Capability. The EU force shall begin recovery at the end of the EU military operation. During the period of recovery, the EU force may continue to perform the tasks entrusted to it in accordance with UNSCR 1778 (2007), within the limits of its residual capabilities; in particular, the chain of command for the EU military operation shall continue to apply.

3.   This Joint Action shall be repealed following the recovery of the EU force, in accordance with approved termination planning of the EU military operation, and without prejudice to the relevant provisions of ATHENA.