13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/1

(1)

Regulation (EC) No 1580/2007 lays down, pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the standard values for imports from third countries, in respect of the products and periods stipulated in the Annex thereto.

(2)

In compliance with the above criteria, the standard import values must be fixed at the levels set out in the Annex to this Regulation,

13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/3

(1)

Pursuant to Article 5(8) of Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91, limitative lists of the substances and products referred to in paragraph 3(c) and (d) of that Article are to be established in Sections A and B of Annex VI to that Regulation. The conditions of use of these ingredients and substances may be specified.

(2)

Further to the inclusion in that list of substances used in the processing of products intended for human consumption which contain ingredients from animal origin by Commission Regulation (EC) No 780/2006 of 24 May 2006 amending Annex VI to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs (2) the additives sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate were to be re-examined before 31 December 2007, with a view to limiting or withdrawing their use. A panel of independent experts has in its conclusion of 5 July 2007 (3) (hereinafter the panel) recommended eliminating sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate in organic meat products within a reasonable time scale. The panel also recommended that certain precautions should be taken, if these substances were withdrawn. Therefore, sodium nitrite and potassium nitrate should be permitted until 31 December 2010 to allow an assessment of the implications of removing them. This assessment should take account of the extent to which the Member States have found safe alternatives to nitrites/nitrates, and their progress in establishing educational programmes in alternative processing.

(3)

From 1 December 2007, under the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 780/2006, sulphur dioxide and potassium metabisulphite are permitted for the processing of fruit wines, made from fruit other than grapes, and also for the processing of cider, perry and mead. According to the above panel they should be allowed until alternative compounds or technologies are known. The Commission proposes to follow this advice. As new research data are expected to become available, the use of sulphur dioxide and potassium metabisulphite in organic products should be re-examined by 31 December 2010.

(4)

To ensure that certain food processing aids (talc, bentonite, and kaolin) in the list are free from non-authorised substances, the panel suggested that they should only be used where they meet the purity standards specified for those food additives in Community laws.

(5)

During the manufacture of sour milk cheese, E 500 sodium carbonate is added to the pasteurised milk in order to buffer the acidity caused by the lactic acid to an appropriate pH value, thereby creating the necessary growth condition for the ripening cultures. According to the panel the use of sodium carbonate for the processing of organic sour milk cheese should therefore be allowed. The Commission proposes to follow this advice.

(6)

To be able to replace after a certain period of time gelatine made from non-organic animal skin or bones by gelatine produced from organic pig skin as an ingredient in organic products, a number of processing aids should be added to the list according to the panel. The Commission proposes to follow this advice.

(7)

It appears to be necessary to use hydrochloric acid as a processing aid in the production of certain special hard rind cheeses (Gouda, Edam and Maasdammer cheeses, Boerenkaas, Friese, and Leidse Nagelkaas) for the regulation of the pH of the brine bath without causing off-flavours. The use of hydrochloric acid for the production of these special hard rind cheeses should however be re-evaluated before 31 December 2010.

(8)

Annex VI to Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 780/2006, allows the use of food additive E 160b (Annatto, Bixin, and Norbixin) on ‘Scottish Cheddar’. As this is not a generic term for coloured cheddar, the entry in Annex VI should be changed to cover all Cheddar cheeses. The use of Annatto, Bixin, Norbixin, E 160b, should therefore be allowed in all Cheddar cheeses.

(9)

The entry on ‘Preparations of micro-organisms and enzymes’ in Annex VI, Section B to Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91, as amended by Regulation (EC) No 780/2006, has been mistakenly inserted in the footnote. This entry should be printed in normal font and added as a separate entry. Annex VI should therefore be corrected accordingly, with effect from the date of application of Regulation (EC) No 780/2006.

(10)

Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(11)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee set up by Article 14 of Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91,

13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/8

(1)

The aid scheme established by Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 has been repealed, from 1 January 2008, by Council Regulation (EC) No 1182/2007 (2) laying down specific rules as regards the fruit and vegetable sector, amending Directives 2001/112/EC and 2001/113/EC and Regulations (EEC) No 827/68, (EC) No 2200/96, (EC) No 2201/96, (EC) No 2826/2000, (EC) No 1782/2003 and (EC) No 318/2006 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2202/96. However, under Article 55(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1182/2007, that aid scheme remains applicable for the 2007/2008 marketing year for each product concerned.

(2)

Article 3(2)(c) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1535/2003 of 29 August 2003 laying down detailed rules for applying Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/96 as regards the aid scheme for products processed from fruit and vegetables (3) provides that the aid for pears is to be granted solely on pears delivered to the processing industry between 15 July and 15 December.

(3)

The Italian producer regions endured exceptional circumstances in December 2007 on account of the transport strike which prevented deliveries to the processing industry during a very intense delivery period. As a result, complete delivery by producers required additional working time, leading to delays in the delivery schedule.

(4)

To prevent producers from being penalised by these circumstances, exceptionally and for the 2007/2008 marketing year only, a derogation should be made from the dates laid down in Article 3(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1535/2003.

(5)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,

13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/9

(1)

Directive 96/23/EC lays down measures to monitor the substances and groups of residues listed in Annex I thereto. Pursuant to Directive 96/23/EC, the inclusion and retention on the lists of third countries from which Member States are authorised to import animals and primary products of animal origin covered by that Directive, are subject to the submission by the third countries concerned of a plan setting out the guarantees which they offer as regards the monitoring of the groups of residues and substances referred to in that Directive.

(2)

Commission Decision 2004/432/EC of 29 April 2004 on the approval of residue monitoring plans submitted by third countries in accordance with Council Directive 96/23/EC (2) lists those third countries which have submitted a residue monitoring plan, setting out the guarantees offered by them in compliance with the requirements of that Directive.

(3)

Belarus, Canada, the Falkland Islands, Mauritius and Switzerland have submitted residue monitoring plans to the Commission for animals and products of animal origin not currently listed in the Annex to Decision 2004/432/EC. The evaluation of those plans and the additional information obtained by the Commission provide sufficient guarantees on the residue monitoring in those third countries for the animals and products concerned. The relevant animals and products of animal origin should therefore be included in the list for those third countries in the Annex to that Decision.

(4)

Switzerland, in addition, has submitted to the Commission a residue monitoring plan concerning honey, for which a limitation ‘third countries using only raw material from other approved third countries for food production’ applies at present. The evaluation of that plan and the additional information obtained by the Commission provide sufficient guarantees to remove that limitation. The footnote setting out that limitation should therefore be deleted from the Annex to Decision 2004/432/EC.

(5)

Ethiopia, Iran and Suriname have submitted residue monitoring plans to the Commission for certain animals and products of animal origin. The evaluation of those plans and the additional information obtained by the Commission provide sufficient guarantees on the residue monitoring in those third countries for the animals and products concerned. The relevant animals and products of animal origin should therefore be included in the list for Ethiopia, Iran and Suriname in the Annex to Decision 2004/432/EC.

(6)

Belize, Colombia, Kenya, Oman, and Zimbabwe which are currently listed for certain animals or products of animal origin in the Annex to Decision 2004/432/EC have not submitted to the Commission the requested residue monitoring plans for some of those animals and products of animal origin. The entries for the relevant animals and products of animal origin should therefore be deleted from the list for those third countries in the Annex to that Decision. The third countries concerned have been informed accordingly.

(7)

Eritrea, Israel and Tunisia which are currently listed for certain animals or products of animal origin in the Annex to Decision 2004/432/EC have not submitted to the Commission the requested residue monitoring plans for some of those animals and products of animal origin, because there are currently no exports of such animals or products of animal origin from those third countries to the Community. The entries for the relevant animals and products of animal origin should therefore be deleted from the list for those third countries in the Annex to Decision 2004/432/EC. The third countries concerned have been informed accordingly.

(8)

Ukraine which is currently listed for equidae with the limitation 'export of live equidae for slaughter (food producing animals only) in the Annex to Decision 2004/432/EC has not submitted to the Commission the requested residue monitoring plan. In addition, a Food and Veterinary Office inspection has revealed serious deficiencies concerning the live equidae testing in that third country. The relevant entry for Ukraine should therefore be deleted from the list in the Annex to that Decision. The authorities of that third country have been informed accordingly.

(9)

South Africa which is currently listed for several animals or products of animal origin in the Annex to Decision 2004/432/EC, has submitted to the Commission the requested residue monitoring plans for those animals and products of animal origin. However, a Food and Veterinary Office inspection has revealed serious deficiencies concerning the implementation of the residue monitoring plan for certain animals or products of animal origin of those referred to in the plans. On that basis South Africa has requested to delete the entries for all the animals and the products of animal origin from the list in the Annex to that Decision, with the exception of wild and farmed game, including ostriches. For these animals and products of animal origin, substantial guarantees have been received.

(10)

A transitional period should be laid down to cover consignments of animals and products of animal origin originating in Belize, Colombia, Eritrea, Israel, Kenya, Oman, Tunisia, Ukraine, South Africa, and Zimbabwe which were dispatched from those third countries for the Community before the date of application of this Decision, to cover the time needed for their arrival in the Community and avoid any disruption to trade.

(11)

Decision 2004/432/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(12)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,

13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/15

(1)

On 15 February 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2007/107/CFSP (1) appointing Mr Kálmán MIZSEI as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Republic of Moldova.

(2)

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 2007/107/CFSP, the mandate of the EUSR should be 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 Common Foreign and Security Policy objectives set out in Article 11 of the Treaty,

(a)

to contribute to a peaceful settlement of the Transnistria conflict and to the implementation of such a settlement on the basis of a viable solution, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognised borders;

(b)

to contribute to the strengthening of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all citizens of the Republic of Moldova;

(c)

to promote good and close relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union on the basis of common values and interests and as set out in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Action Plan;

(d)

to assist in the fight against the trafficking of human beings and of weapons and other goods, from and through the Republic of Moldova;

(e)

to contribute to strengthening stability and cooperation in the region;

(f)

to enhance European Union effectiveness and visibility in the Republic of Moldova and the region;

(g)

to enhance the effectiveness of border and customs controls and border surveillance activities in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine along their common border, with a particular focus on the Transnistrian section, notably through an EU Border Mission.

(a)

strengthen the European Union contribution to the resolution of the Transnistria conflict in accordance with agreed European Union policy objectives and in close coordination with the OSCE, representing the European Union through appropriate channels and in agreed fora and by developing and maintaining close contacts with all relevant actors;

(b)

assist in the preparation, as appropriate, of European Union contributions to the implementation of an eventual conflict settlement;

(c)

follow closely political developments in the Republic of Moldova, including in the Transnistrian region, by developing and maintaining close contacts with the Government of the Republic of Moldova and other domestic actors, and offer as appropriate the European Union’s advice and facilitation;

(d)

assist in the further development of the European Union’s policy towards the Republic of Moldova and the region, in particular regarding conflict prevention and conflict resolution;

(e)

through a support team led by a Senior Political Adviser to the EUSR:

(f)

contribute to the implementation of the European Union human rights policy and European Union Guidelines on Human Rights, in particular with regard to children and women in conflict-affected areas, especially by monitoring and addressing developments in this regard.

(a)

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

(b)

ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the EU are covered by high risk insurance as required by the conditions in the mission area;

(c)

ensuring that all members of his team to be deployed outside the EU, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the mission area, based on the risk ratings assigned to the mission area by the General Secretariat of the Council;

(d)

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

13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/19

(1)

On 15 February 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2007/113/CFSP (1) amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia.

(2)

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 2007/113/CFSP, the mandate of the EUSR should be 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 Common Foreign and Security Policy objectives set out in Article 11 of the Treaty,

(a)

promoting good and close relations between countries of Central Asia and the European Union on the basis of common values and interests as set out in relevant agreements;

(b)

contributing to strengthening the stability and cooperation between the countries in the region;

(c)

contributing to strengthening democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Central Asia;

(d)

addressing key threats, especially specific problems with direct implications for Europe;

(e)

enhancing the European Union's effectiveness and visibility in the region, including through a closer coordination with other relevant partners and international organisations, such as the OSCE.

(a)

promote overall political coordination of the European Union in Central Asia and ensure consistency of the external actions of the European Union in the region without prejudice to Community competence;

(b)

monitor, on behalf of the High Representative and in accordance with his mandate, together with the Commission and the Presidency, and without prejudice to Community competence, the implementation process of the EU Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia, make recommendations and report to relevant Council bodies on a regular basis;

(c)

assist the Council in further developing a comprehensive policy towards Central Asia;

(d)

follow closely political developments in Central Asia by developing and maintaining close contacts with governments, parliaments, judiciary, civil society and mass media;

(e)

encourage Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to cooperate on regional issues of common interest;

(f)

develop appropriate contacts and cooperation with the main interested actors in the region, and all relevant regional and international organisations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC) and the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC);

(g)

contribute to the implementation of the European Union human rights policy and European Union Guidelines on Human Rights, in particular with regard to women and children in conflict-affected areas, especially by monitoring and addressing developments in this regard;

(h)

contribute, in close cooperation with the OSCE, to conflict prevention and resolution by developing contacts with the authorities and other local actors (NGOs, political parties, minorities, religious groups and their leaders);

(i)

provide input to the formulation of energy security aspects and anti-narcotics aspects of the CFSP with respect to Central Asia.

(a)

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

(b)

ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the EU are covered by high risk insurance as required by the conditions in the mission area;

(c)

ensuring that all members of his team to be deployed outside the EU, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the mission area, based on the risk ratings assigned to the mission area by the General Secretariat of the Council;

(d)

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

13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/22

(1)

On 15 February 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2007/112/CFSP (1) appointing Mr Roeland VAN DE GEER European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the African Great Lakes Region for the period from 1 March 2007 to 29 February 2008.

(2)

On 12 June 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2007/405/CFSP on the European Union police mission undertaken in the framework of reform of the security sector (SSR) and its interface with the system of justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUPOL RD Congo) (2), and Joint Action 2007/406/CFSP on the European Union mission to provide advice and assistance for security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUSEC RD Congo) (3).

(3)

On 20 December 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/38/CFSP (4) amending Joint Action 2007/405/CFSP (EUPOL RD Congo) to reflect the new command and control structure for EU civilian crisis management operations as approved by the Council on 18 June 2007.

(4)

The mandate of the EUSR should be adjusted to the role he has been assigned in relation to these two European Union SSR missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, on the basis of a review of Joint Action 2007/112/CFSP, be extended for a 12-month period.

(5)

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

(a)

active and effective contribution to a consistent, sustainable and responsible policy of the European Union in the African Great Lakes Region, promoting a coherent overall European Union approach in the region. The EUSR shall support the work of the Secretary-General/High Representative (SG/HR) in the region;

(b)

ensuring the continued commitment of the European Union to the stabilisation and reconstruction processes in the region, through an active presence on the ground and in relevant international fora, staying in touch with key players and contributing to crisis management;

(c)

contributing to the post-transition phase in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in particular as regards the political process of consolidating the new institutions and defining a broader international framework for political consultation and coordination with the new government;

(d)

contributing, in close cooperation with the United Nations/MONUC, to the international support efforts to pursue a comprehensive Security Sector Reform in the DRC, in particular in view of the coordinating role the European Union is ready to assume in this context;

(e)

contributing to appropriate follow-up measures to the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region, in particular by establishing close contacts with the Great Lakes Secretariat and its Executive Secretary as well as with the Troika of the follow-up mechanism and by promoting good neighbourly relations in the region;

(f)

addressing the still considerable problem of armed groups operating across the borders with the risk of destabilising the countries in the region and aggravating their internal problems;

(g)

contributing to the post-conflict stabilisation in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, in particular through accompanying peace negotiations with armed groups like FNL and LRA.

(a)

establish and maintain close contact with the countries of the Great Lakes Region, the United Nations, the African Union, key African countries and main partners of the DRC and the European Union, as well as regional and sub-regional African organisations, other relevant third countries and other key regional leaders;

(b)

advise and report on the possibilities for European Union supporting the stabilisation and consolidation process and on how best to pursue European Union initiatives;

(c)

provide advice and assistance for security sector reform (SSR) in the DRC;

(d)

contribute to the follow-up to the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region, in particular by supporting policies defined in the region pursuing the objectives of non-violence and mutual defence in the resolution of conflicts as well as, regarding the regional cooperation, by promoting human rights and democratisation, good governance, combating impunity, judicial cooperation, and the fight against the illegal exploitation of natural resources;

(e)

contribute to a better understanding of the European Union’s role among opinion leaders in the region;

(f)

contribute, where requested, to the negotiation and implementation of peace and cease-fire agreements between the parties and engage with them diplomatically in the event of non-compliance with the terms of these agreements; in the context of the ongoing LRA negotiations, such activities should be pursued in close coordination with the EUSR for Sudan;

(g)

contribute to the implementation of the European Union human rights policy and European Union Guidelines on human rights, in particular the European Union Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, and the European Union policy regarding UN Security Council Resolution 1325(2000) on Women, Peace and Security, including by monitoring and reporting on developments in this regard.

(a)

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

(b)

ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the EU are covered by high risk insurance as required by the conditions in the mission area;

(c)

ensuring that all members of his team to be deployed outside the EU, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the mission area, based on the risk ratings assigned to the mission area by the General Secretariat of the Council;

(d)

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

13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/26

(1)

In 2003 the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution (UNSCR) 1521 (2003) imposing restrictive measures against Liberia. These measures were implemented by Council Common Position 2004/137/CFSP of 10 February 2004 concerning restrictive measures against Liberia (1).

(2)

Following the adoption of UNSCR 1683 (2006) and UNSCR 1731 (2006), the Council adopted Common Position 2006/518/CFSP of 24 July 2006 modifying and renewing certain restrictive measures imposed against Liberia (2), and Common Position 2007/93/CFSP of 12 February 2007 modifying and renewing Common Position 2004/137/CFSP concerning the restrictive measures imposed against Liberia (3) respectively.

(3)

In the light of the developments in Liberia, the United Nations Security Council adopted on 19 December 2007 UNSCR 1792 (2007) renewing the restrictive measures on arms and on travel for a further period of 12 months. UNSCR 1792 (2007) also introduces an obligation to notify the Committee established by paragraph 21 of UNSCR 1521 (2003) upon delivery of all arms and related materiel supplied in accordance with paragraph 2(e) or 2(f) of UNSCR 1521 (2003), paragraph 2 of UNSCR 1683 (2006), or paragraph 1(b) of UNSCR 1731 (2006).

(4)

For the sake of clarity, the abovementioned measures should be consolidated into a single legal act.

(5)

Action by the Community is needed in order to implement certain of these measures,

(a)

to grant, sell, supply, or transfer technical assistance, brokering services and other services related to military activities and to the provision, manufacture, maintenance and use of items in paragraph 1, directly or indirectly to any person, entity or body in, or for use in, Liberia;

(b)

to provide financing or financial assistance related to military activities, including in particular grants, loans and export credit insurance, for any sale, supply, transfer or export of items in paragraph 1, directly or indirectly to any person, entity or body in, or for use in Liberia.

(a)

arms and related materiel and technical training and assistance intended solely for support of or use by the United Nations Mission in Liberia;

(b)

arms and related materiel and technical training and assistance intended solely for support of or use in an international training and reform programme for the Liberian armed forces and police, as approved in advance by the Committee established by paragraph 21 of UNSCR 1521 (2003) (the Sanctions Committee);

(c)

non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance or training, as approved in advance by the Sanctions Committee;

(d)

protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to Liberia by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel, for their personal use only;

(e)

weapons and ammunition already provided to members of the Special Security Service (SSS) for training purposes and remaining in the custody of the SSS for unencumbered operational use, provided that their transfer to the SSS had been approved in advance by the Sanctions Committee and technical and financial assistance related to such weapons and ammunition;

(f)

weapons and ammunition intended for use by members of the Government of Liberia police and security forces who have been vetted and trained since the inception of the United Nations Mission in Liberia, provided that such supplies have been approved in advance by the Sanctions Committee, upon a joint request by the Government of Liberia and the exporting State, and technical and financial assistance related to such weapons and ammunition;

(g)

non-lethal military equipment other than non-lethal weapons and ammunition, as notified in advance to the Sanctions Committee, intended solely for use by members of the Government of Liberia police and security forces who have been vetted and trained since the inception of the United Nations Mission in Liberia in October 2003.

(a)

constitute a threat to the peace process in Liberia, or are engaged in activities aimed at undermining peace and stability in Liberia and the subregion including those senior members of former President Charles Taylor’s Government and their spouses and members of Liberia’s former armed forces who retain links to former President Charles Taylor;

(b)

are in violation of the prohibition on the sale, supply, transfer or export of arms and related material of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts for the aforementioned, or of the prohibition on the provision of technical training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance, or use of such items;

(c)

provide financial or military support to armed rebel groups in Liberia or in countries in the region, or are associated with entities so doing.

13.2.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 38/28

(1)

On 15 February 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2007/108/CFSP (1) extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Sudan.

(2)

On 19 April 2007, the Council adopted Decision 2007/238/CFSP (2) appointing Mr Torben BRYLLE as European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Sudan from 1 May 2007 to 29 February 2008.

(3)

On 20 December 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2007/887/CFSP (3) repealing Joint Action 2005/557/CFSP on the European Union civilian-military supporting action to the African Union (AU) missions in the Darfur region of Sudan and in Somalia (AMIS/AMISOM) and providing for the closure of that supporting action.

(4)

The mandate of the EUSR should be amended to reflect the closure of AMIS/AMISOM and, on the basis of a review of Joint Action 2007/108/CFSP, it should be extended for a 12-month period.

(5)

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

(a)

liaise with the AU, the Government of Sudan, the Government of Southern Sudan, the Darfur armed movements and other Sudanese parties as well as Darfur civil society and non-governmental organisations and maintain close collaboration with the UN and other relevant international actors, with the aim of pursuing the European Union’s policy objectives;

(b)

represent the European Union at the Darfur-Darfur dialogue, at high-level meetings of the Joint Commission, as well as other relevant meetings as requested;

(c)

represent the European Union, whenever possible, at the CPA and DPA Assessment and Evaluation Commissions;

(d)

follow developments regarding the implementation of the ESPA;

(e)

ensure coherence between the European Union’s contribution to crisis management in Darfur and the overall political relationship of the European Union with Sudan;

(f)

with regard to human rights, including the rights of children and women, and the fight against impunity in Sudan, follow the situation and maintain regular contacts with the Sudanese authorities, the AU and the UN, in particular with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the human rights observers active in the region and the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court;

(g)

liaise with the Presidency, the Secretary-General/High Representative (SG/HR), the EU Operation Commander and the EU Force Commander of Operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA in order to ensure close coordination of their respective activities with respect to the implementation of Joint Action 2007/677/CFSP; close coordination shall also be ensured with the local Commission Delegations;

(h)

with respect to the implementation of Joint Action 2007/677/CFSP, assist the SG/HR in relation to his contacts with the United Nations, the Chadian authorities, the authorities of the Central African Republic and neighbouring countries as well as with other relevant actors;

(i)

without prejudice to the military chain of command, provide the EU Force Commander of Operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA with political guidance in particular on issues with a regional political dimension;

(j)

with respect to his tasks related to Operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA, consult with the EU Force Commander on political issues with a security dimension.

(a)

maintain an overview of all activities of the European Union;

(b)

ensure close coordination and coherence of the activities of the European Union with respect to Operation EUFOR Tchad/RCA;

(c)

support the political process and activities relating to the implementation of the CPA, the DPA and the ESPA; and

(d)

follow up and report on compliance by the Sudanese parties with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, notably 1556(2004), 1564(2004), 1591(2005), 1593(2005), 1672(2006), 1679(2006), 1706 (2006), 1769 (2007) and 1778 (2007).

(a)

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

(b)

ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the EU are covered by high risk insurance as required by the conditions in the mission area;

(c)

ensuring that all members of his team to be deployed outside the EU, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the mission area, based on the risk ratings assigned to the mission area by the General Secretariat of the Council;

(d)

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