(1)

The mandate of the European Union Special Representative for Afghanistan (EUSR), as set out in Council Joint Action 2003/871/CFSP (1) expires on 28 February 2006.

(2)

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 2003/871/CFSP, the mandate of the EUSR should be revised and extended for a 12-month period.

(3)

The EUSR will implement his mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could harm the objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy as set out in Article 11 of the Treaty,

1.

contribute to the implementation of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and the Afghanistan Compact as well as the relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions and other relevant UN Resolutions;

2.

encourage positive contributions from regional actors in Afghanistan and from neighbouring countries to the peace process in Afghanistan and thereby contribute to the consolidation of the Afghan state;

3.

support the pivotal role played by the UN, notably the Special Representative of the Secretary-General; and

4.

support work of the Secretary General/High Representative (SG/HR) in the region.

(a)

convey the EU’s views on the political process while drawing on the key principles agreed between Afghanistan and the international community, in particular the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and the Afghanistan Compact;

(b)

establish and maintain close contact with and give support to the Afghan representative institutions, in particular the government and Parliament. Contact should also be maintained with other Afghan political figures and other relevant players inside as well as outside the country;

(c)

maintain close contact with relevant international and regional organisations, notably with the local representatives of the UN;

(d)

stay in close contact with neighbouring and other interested countries in the region, so that their views on the situation in Afghanistan and the development of cooperation between these countries and Afghanistan are taken into account in EU policy;

(e)

advise on the progress achieved in meeting the objectives of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and the Afghanistan Compact, — in particular in the following areas:

(f)

in consultation with representatives of Member States and the Commission, assist in ensuring that the EU’s political approach is reflected in its action for the development of Afghanistan;

(g)

jointly with the Commission, actively participate in the Monitoring Mechanism established under the Afghanistan Compact;

(h)

advise on the participation and the positions of the EU in international conferences on Afghanistan.