1.   The European Union shall conduct a military operation in the DRC in support of MONUC during the election process, named Operation EUFOR RD Congo, in accordance with the mandate set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1671 (2006).

2.   The forces deployed to that effect shall operate in accordance with the objectives for possible EU support to MONUC as approved by the Council on 23 March 2006.

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 Secretary-General/High Representative (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 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 authorities of the DRC 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 and MONUC on issues relevant to his mission.

3.   The EU Force Commander in coordination with the EUSR and the Heads of Mission for EUPOL Kinshasa and EUSEC RD Congo respectively shall, on issues relevant to his mission, maintain close contacts with MONUC and local authorities, as well as with other international actors, as appropriate.

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:

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

3.   Detailed arrangements 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 common costs of the EU military operation shall be administered by ATHENA.

2.   For the purposes of this EU military operation:

3.   The financial reference amount for the common costs of the EU military operation for a four-month period shall be EUR 16 700 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 31(3) of Decision 2004/197/CFSP shall be 70 %.

1.   The SG/HR is hereby authorised to release to the United Nations, MONUC 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, MONUC 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 (6).

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

2.   The EU military operation shall end four months after the date of the first round of elections in the DRC.

3.   This Joint Action shall be repealed following the redeployment of all EU forces, in accordance with approved termination planning of the EU military operation.