1.   The European Union hereby establishes an European Union Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq, EUJUST LEX, comprising a planning phase beginning no later than 9 March 2005 and an operational phase beginning no later than 1 July 2005.

2.   EUJUST LEX shall operate in accordance with the objectives and other provisions as contained in the mission statement set out in Article 2.

1.   EUJUST LEX shall address the urgent needs in the Iraqi criminal justice system through providing training for high and mid level officials in senior management and criminal investigation. This training shall aim to improve the capacity, coordination and collaboration of the different components of the Iraqi criminal justice system.

2.   EUJUST LEX shall promote closer collaboration between the different actors across the Iraqi criminal justice system and strengthen the management capacity of senior and high-potential officials primarily from the police, judiciary and penitentiary and improve skills and procedures in criminal investigation in full respect for the rule of law and human rights.

3.   The training activities shall take place in the EU or in the region and EUJUST LEX shall have a liaison office in Baghdad.

Depending on developments in the security conditions in Iraq and on the availability of appropriate infrastructure, the Council shall examine the possibility of training within Iraq and, if necessary, shall amend this Joint Action accordingly.

4.   An effective strategic and technical partnership with the Iraqi counterparts shall be developed throughout the mission, particularly in relation to the design of the curricula during the planning phase. Coordination will also be needed for the selection, vetting, evaluation, follow-up and coordination of personnel attending the training with the aim of rapid appropriation by the Iraqis. There shall also be a need for close coordination during the planning and operational phases between EUJUST LEX and the Member States providing training. This shall include the involvement of the relevant Member States diplomatic missions in Iraq and liaison with those Member States with current experience in providing training relevant for the mission.

5.   EUJUST LEX shall be secure, independent and distinct but shall be complementary and bring added value to ongoing international efforts, in particular of the United Nations, as well as develop synergies with ongoing Community and Member States efforts. In this context, EUJUST LEX shall liaise with Member States who presently conduct training projects.

1.   The Head of Mission shall assume the day-to-day management and coordination of EUJUST LEX activities and shall be responsible for staff and disciplinary matters.

2.   The Head of Mission shall sign a contract with the Commission.

1.   During the preparatory phase of the mission, a planning team shall be established and shall comprise the Head of Mission, who shall lead the planning team, and the necessary staff to deal with functions ensuing from established needs of the mission.

2.   A comprehensive risk assessment shall be carried out as a priority in the planning process and shall be updated as necessary.

3.   The planning team shall draw up an OPLAN and develop all technical instruments necessary to execute the mission including the common curricula taking into account current training projects of Member States. The CONOPS and the OPLAN shall take into account the comprehensive risk assessment. The OPLAN shall contain the common EU curricula for the courses, which will be designed by the planning team in consultation with the Iraqis and Member States, including those providing training relevant for the mission. The Council shall approve the CONOPS and the OPLAN.

4.   The planning team shall work in close coordination with relevant international actors, in particular the United Nations.

1.   The numbers and competence of EUJUST LEX staff shall be consistent with the mission statement set out in Article 2 and the structure set out in Article 3.

2.   EUJUST LEX staff shall be seconded by EU Member States or institutions. Each Member State shall bear the costs related to EUJUST LEX staff seconded by it, including salaries, medical coverage, allowances other than per diems and travel expenses as defined in the financial statement.

3.   International staff and local staff shall be recruited on a contractual basis by EUJUST LEX as required.

4.   All staff shall remain under the authority of the appropriate EU Member State or institution and shall carry out their duties and act in the interest of the mission. Both during and after the mission, they shall exercise the greatest discretion with regard to all facts and information relating to the mission. The staff shall respect the security principles and minimum standards established by Council Decision 2001/264/EC of 19 March 2001 adopting the Council's security regulations (2).

1.   Where required, the status of EUJUST LEX staff, including where appropriate the privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of EUJUST LEX shall be agreed in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 24 of the Treaty. The SG/HR, assisting the Presidency, may negotiate such an agreement on its behalf.

2.   The EU Member State or institution having seconded a staff member shall be responsible for answering any claims linked to the secondment, from or concerning the staff member. The EU Member State or institution in question shall be responsible for bringing any action against the secondee.

1.   The structure of EUJUST LEX shall have a unified chain of command as a crisis management operation,

2.   The Political and Security Committee (hereinafter referred to as ‘PSC’) shall provide the political control and strategic direction.

3.   The Head of Mission shall lead the Mission and assume its coordination and day-to-day management.

4.   The Head of Mission shall report to the SG/HR.

5.   The SG/HR shall give guidance to the Head of Mission.

1.   The PSC shall exercise, under the responsibility of the Council, the political control and strategic direction of the mission. The Council hereby authorises the PSC to take the relevant decisions in accordance with Article 25 of the Treaty. This authorisation shall include the powers to appoint, upon a proposal by the SG/HR, a Head of Mission, and to amend the CONOPS and the OPLAN and the chain of command. The powers of decision with respect to the objectives and termination of the 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 by the Head of Mission regarding contributions to and the conduct of the mission, at regular intervals. The PSC may invite the Head of Mission to its meetings as appropriate.

1.   The Head of Mission shall be responsible for the security of EUJUST LEX and shall, in consultation with the Security Office of the General Secretariat of the Council (hereinafter referred to as ‘GSC Security Office’), be responsible for ensuring compliance with minimum security requirements applicable to the mission.

2.   For the elements of the mission which shall be carried out in Member States, the host Member State shall take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure the security of the participants and the trainers on its territory.

3.   For the Coordinating Office in Brussels, the necessary and appropriate measures shall be organised by the GSC Security Office in collaboration with the host Member State authorities.

4.   Should the training take place in a third State, the EU, with the involvement of the Member States concerned, shall ask third States authorities to make the appropriate arrangements regarding the security of the participants and the trainers on its territory.

5.   EUJUST LEX shall have a dedicated mission Security Officer reporting to the Head of Mission.

6.   The Head of Mission shall consult with the PSC on security issues affecting the deployment of the Mission as directed by the SG/HR.

7.   EUJUST LEX staff members shall undergo mandatory security training organised by the GSC Security Office and medical checks prior to any deployment or travel to Iraq.

8.   Member States shall endeavour to provide EUJUST LEX, in particular the Liaison Office, secure accommodation, body armour and close protection within Iraq.

1.   The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the mission shall be EUR 10 000 000.

2.   The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union with the exception that any pre-financing shall not remain the property of the Community. Should a part of the training be conducted in third States, nationals of third States shall be allowed to tender for contracts. In this case, goods and services procured for EUJUST LEX may also have their origin in third States.

3.   Given the particular security situation in Iraq, services in Baghdad shall be provided through the existing agreements entered into by the United Kingdom with the companies listed in the Annex. The budget of EUJUST LEX shall cover these expenses up to a maximum of EUR 2 340 000. The United Kingdom shall, in consultation with the Head of Mission, report regularly with adequate information to the Council on these expenses.

4.   The Head of Mission shall report fully to, and be supervised by, the Commission on the activities undertaken in the framework of his contract.

5.   The financial arrangements shall respect the operational requirements of EUJUST LEX, including compatibility of equipment.

6.   Expenditure shall be eligible as of the date of entry into force of this Joint Action.

7.   The equipment and supplies for the Coordination Office in Brussels shall be purchased and rented on behalf of the EU.

1.   The Council notes the intention of the Commission to direct its action towards achieving the objectives of this Joint Action in all phases of the proposed operation, including in view of the elaboration by the Commission of potential follow-on actions to the European Security and Defense Policy operation under Community programs.

2.   The Council also notes that coordination arrangements are required in Brussels as well as, as appropriate, in Baghdad.