(1)

On 18 December 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 1352/2014 (2).

(2)

On 25 February 2020, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2511 (2020).

(3)

United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2511 (2020) emphasises the importance of facilitating humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, UNSCR 2511 (2020) provides that the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 19 of UNSCR 2140 (2014) may, on a case-by-case basis, authorise activities which are necessary to facilitate the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations in Yemen or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of UNSCR 2140 (2014) and UNSCR 2216 (2015).

(4)

UNSCR 2511 (2020) also specifies that sexual violence in armed conflict, and the recruitment or use of children in armed conflict in violation of international law, are sanctionable acts.

(5)

On 2 April 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/490 (3), which amends Decision 2014/932/CFSP in accordance with UNSCR 2511 (2020).

(6)

Certain of these amendments fall within the scope of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and regulatory action at the level of the Union is therefore necessary in order to implement them, in particular with a view to ensuring the uniform application by economic operators in all Member States.

(7)

Council Regulation (EU) No 1352/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

Article 3(1) is replaced by the following:

(2)

the following article is inserted:

(3)

in Article 13(1), point (a) is replaced by the following:

(1)

It is crucial to intensify Union engagement in the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo (*1) and Union engagement in the Western Balkans.

(2)

A European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues should be appointed for a period of 12 months.

(3)

The EUSR will implement the mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,

(a)

first and foremost, achieving comprehensive normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, which is key to their respective European paths;

(b)

improving good neighbourly relations and also promoting reconciliation;

(c)

enhancing Union visibility and effectiveness through public diplomacy;

(d)

contributing to the unity, consistency and effectiveness of Union action in the Western Balkans, as appropriate.

(a)

as regards the core of the mandate, to facilitate on behalf of the HR the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue in close coordination with the Member States, to work on the comprehensive normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo through the conclusion of a legally binding agreement that addresses all outstanding issues between the parties in accordance with international law and contributes to regional stability, and to monitor and assist as necessary the work of the parties on the implementation of past agreements reached within the framework of the EU-Facilitated Dialogue;

(b)

additionally, as appropriate, to work on improving good neighbourly relations and reconciliation between partners in the Western Balkans, helping overcome the legacy of the past;

(c)

actively to engage in enhancing the Union’s effectiveness and visibility in the Western Balkans through public diplomacy, as well as to communicate and promote Union values and the broader Union agenda for the region, as appropriate, contributing to a broader understanding of and support for issues related to the Union;

(d)

to work in a coordinated and coherent manner with all the Union’s efforts and the overall Union policies regarding the region, as well as with Union delegations, Union offices and in particular with other EUSRs in the Western Balkans, and to maintain close contact with the Member States;

(e)

to support the work of the HR and the activities of the Union in the region.

(a)

establishing a specific security plan based on guidance from the EEAS, including specific physical, organisational and procedural security measures, governing management of the secure movement of personnel to and within the area of responsibility, as well as management of security incidents and a mission contingency and evacuation plan;

(b)

ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the Union are covered by high risk insurance as required by the conditions in the area of responsibility;

(c)

ensuring that all members of the EUSR’s staff to be deployed outside the Union, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the area of responsibility, based on the risk ratings assigned to that area by the EEAS;

(d)

ensuring that all agreed recommendations made following regular security assessments are implemented and providing the HR, the Council and the Commission with written reports on their implementation and on other security issues within the framework of the progress reports and the mandate implementation reports.

(1)

On 18 December 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/932/CFSP (1) concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Yemen.

(2)

On 25 February 2020, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2511 (2020) expressing concern at the ongoing political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges in Yemen, and reiterating its call for all parties in Yemen to resolve their differences through dialogue and consultation.

(3)

United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2511 (2020) emphasises the importance of facilitating humanitarian assistance and provides that the Committee established by paragraph 19 of UNSCR 2140 (2014) may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt any activity from the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council in UNSCR 2140 (2014) and UNSCR 2216 (2015) if the Committee determines that such an exemption is necessary to facilitate the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations in Yemen or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of those Resolutions.

(4)

UNSCR 2511 (2020) also affirms that sexual violence in armed conflict, or the recruitment or use of children in armed conflict in violation of international law, could constitute an act, as specified in paragraph 18(c) of UNSCR 2140 (2014), and therefore a sanctionable act of engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen, as described in paragraph 17 of that Resolution.

(5)

Further action by the Union is necessary to implement certain measures in this Decision.

(6)

Decision 2014/932/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

in Article 2a(1), point (c) is replaced by the following:

(2)

in Article 2b(1), point (c) is replaced by the following:

(3)

the following article is inserted: