32002E0963

Council Joint Action

of 10 December 2002

amending and extending the mandate of the Special Representative of the European Union in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

(2002/963/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 14 and Article 18(5) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Council Joint Action 2001/760/CFSP of 29 October 2001 concerning the appointment of the Special Representative of the European Union in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(1) is due to expire on 31 December 2002.

(2) On the basis of a review of that Joint Action, the mandate of the Special Representative should be amended and extended.

(3) Clear lines of responsibility as well as the coordination and consistency of the European Union external action in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia should be ensured.

(4) On 30 March 2000 the Council adopted guidelines on the appointing procedure and administrative arrangements for European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs),

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

The mandate of Mr Alexis BROUHNS as the European Union Special Representative in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is hereby extended.

Article 2

The objective of the EU Special Representative in FYROM shall be to contribute to the consolidation of the peaceful political process and the full implementation of the Framework Agreement, thereby facilitating further progress towards European integration through the Stabilisation and Association Process.

The EU Special Representative shall support the work of High Representative in the region.

Article 3

In order to achieve the objective, the mandate of the EU Special Representative shall be to:

(a) maintain close contact with the Government of FYROM and with the parties involved in the political process;

(b) offer the European Union's advice and facilitation in the political process;

(c) ensure coordination of the international community's efforts to help in the implementation and sustainability of the provisions of the Framework Agreement of 13 August 2001, as set out in the Agreement and its Annexes;

(d) follow closely and report on security and inter-ethnic issues and liaising with all relevant bodies to that end.

Article 4

1. The Special Representative shall be responsible for the implementation of the mandate acting under the authority and operational direction of the High Representative. The Special Representative shall be accountable to the High Representative for administrative expenditure and to the Commission for any operational expenditure incurred in respect of activities.

2. The Special Representative shall maintain a privileged link with the Political and Security Committee (PSC), which shall be the primary point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide strategic guidance and political input to the Special Representative within the framework of the mandate.

Article 5

1. The Special Representative shall conclude a contract with the Council.

2. The Presidency, Commission and/or Member States, as appropriate, will provide logistical support in the region.

Article 6

1. The Special Representative shall be responsible for the constitution of his team and shall inform the Council and the Commission thereon through the High Representative.

2. Member States and institutions of the European Union may propose the secondment of staff to work with the Special Representative. The remuneration of personnel who might be seconded by a Member State or an institution of the European Union to the Special Representative shall be covered by the Member State or the institution of the European Union concerned respectively.

3. All A-type posts to be filled shall be published in Member States and institutions of the European Union and taken up by the best qualified applicants.

4. The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the Special Representative and the members of his staff shall be defined with the parties. Member States and the Commission shall grant all necessary support to such effect.

Article 7

As a rule, the Special Representative will report in person to the High Representative and to the PSC and may report also to the relevant Working Group. Regular written reports will be circulated to the High Representative, Council and Commission. The Special Representative may report to the General Affairs and External Relations Council on the recommendation of the High Representative and the PSC.

Article 8

To ensure the consistency of the external action of the European Union, the activities of the Special Representative shall be coordinated with those of the High Representative, the Presidency and the Commission. In the field, close liaison shall be maintained with the Presidency, the Commission and Heads of Mission who shall make their best efforts to assist the Special Representative in the implementation of the mandate, as well as with the EU Monitoring Mission. The Special Representative shall also liaise with other international and regional actors in the field, including local representatives of NATO, OSCE and the UN.

Article 9

The implementation of this Joint Action and its consistency with other contributions from the European Union to the region shall be kept under regular review. The Special Representative shall present a comprehensive written report on the implementation of the mandate to the High Representative, Council and Commission two months before the mandate expires, which shall form a basis for evaluation of the Joint Action in the relevant Working Groups and by the PSC. In the context of overall priorities for deployment, the High Representative shall make recommendations to the PSC concerning the Council's decision on renewal, amendment or termination of the mandate.

Article 10

This Joint Action shall enter into force on 1 January 2003.

It shall apply until 30 June 2003.

Article 11

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 10 December 2002.

For the Council

The President

P. S. Møller

(1) OJ L 287, 31.10.2001, p. 1. Joint Action as last amended by Joint Action 2002/832/CFSP (OJ L 285, 23.10.2002, p. 12).