HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"L 165/68
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
26.6.2012
COUNCIL DECISION 2012/331/CFSP
of 25 June 2012
extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
promoting the implementation of the London, Kabul and
Bonn Conference Communiqués, as well as relevant UN
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in
Resolutions.
particular Article 28, Article 31(2) and Article 33 thereof,
Article 3
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of
the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Mandate
In order to fulfil the mandate, the EUSR shall, in close
Whereas:
cooperation with Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan:
(1) On
22
March
2010,
the
Council
adopted
Decision (a) promote the views of the Union on the political process and
2010/168/CFSP ( 1 ) appointing Mr Vygaudas UACKAS
developments in Afghanistan;
as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR)
in Afghanistan. The EUSR’s mandate is to expire on
30 June 2012.
(b) maintain close contact with, and support the development

of, relevant Afghan institutions, in particular the
Government and the Parliament as well as the local auth
(2) The
mandate
of
the
EUSR
should
be
extended
for
a
orities. Contact should also be maintained with other
further period of 12 months.
Afghan political groups and other relevant actors in Afghan
istan;
(3) The
EUSR
will
implement
the
mandate
in
the
context
of
a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the
(c) maintain close contact with relevant international and
achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external
regional stakeholders in Afghanistan, notably the Special
action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,
Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN and the
Senior Civilian Representative of the North Atlantic Treaty
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Organisation and other key partners and organisations;
Article 1
(d) advise on the progress achieved in meeting the objectives of
European Union Special Representative
the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration, of the EU Action Plan
for Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it concerns
The mandate of Mr Vygaudas UACKAS as the EUSR in
Afghanistan, and of the Kabul and Bonn and other
Afghanistan is hereby extended until 30 June 2013. The
relevant international Conferences, in particular in the
mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the
following areas:
Council so decides, upon a proposal from the High Represen
tative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).
— civilian capacity building, notably at sub-national level,
Article 2
— good governance and the establishment of institutions
Policy objectives
necessary for the existence of the rule of law, in
The EUSR shall represent the Union and promote Union policy
particular an independent judiciary,
objectives in Afghanistan, in close coordination with Member
States’ representatives in Afghanistan. More specifically, the
— electoral reforms,
EUSR shall:
— security sector reforms, including the strengthening of
(a) contribute to the implementation of the EU-Afghanistan
judicial institutions, the national army and the police
Joint Declaration and lead the implementation of the EU
force,
Action Plan on Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it
concerns Afghanistan, thereby working with Member
States’ representatives in Afghanistan;
— promotion of growth, namely through agriculture and
rural development,
(b) support Union-Afghanistan political dialogue;
— respect for Afghanistan’s international human rights
(c) support the pivotal role played by the United Nations (UN)
obligations, including respect for the rights of persons
in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on contributing
belonging to minorities and the rights of women and
to better coordinated international assistance, thereby
children,
( 1 ) OJ L 75, 23.3.2010, p. 22.
— respect of democratic principles and the rule of law,

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26.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
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Union L
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— fostering participation by women in public adminis
3. The
management
of
the
expenditure
shall
be
subject
to
a
tration and civil society,
contract between the EUSR and the Commission. The EUSR
shall be accountable to the Commission for all expenditure.
— respect for Afghanistan’s international obligations,
including cooperation in international efforts to
combat terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in
Article 6
human beings and proliferation of arms and weapons
Constitution and composition of the team
of mass destruction and related materials,
1. Within the limits of the EUSR’s mandate and the
corresponding financial means made available, the EUSR shall
— facilitation of humanitarian assistance and the orderly
be responsible for constituting a team. The team shall include
return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and
the expertise on specific policy issues as required by the
mandate. The EUSR shall promptly and regularly inform the
— enhancing the effectiveness of Union presence and
Council and the Commission of the composition of the team.
activities in Afghanistan and contributing to the formu
lation of the regular six-monthly implementation reports
on the EU Action Plan, as requested by the Council;
2. Member States, institutions of the Union and the EEAS
may propose the secondment of personnel to work with the
EUSR. The salary of such seconded personnel shall be covered
(e) actively participate in local coordination fora such as the
by the Member State, the institution of the Union concerned or
Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, while keeping
the EEAS, respectively. Experts seconded by Member States to
non-participating Member States fully informed of
the institutions of the Union or the EEAS may also be posted to
decisions taken at these levels;
work with the EUSR. Internationally contracted personnel shall
have the nationality of a Member State.
(f) advise on the participation and the positions of the Union
in international conferences with regard to Afghanistan and
contribute to promoting regional cooperation;
3. All
seconded
personnel
shall
remain
under
the
adminis
trative authority of the sending Member State, the sending insti
tution of the Union or the EEAS and shall carry out their duties
(g) contribute to the implementation of the Union’s human
and act in the interest of the mandate of the EUSR.
rights policy and the EU Guidelines on Human Rights, in
particular with regard to women and children in conflict-
affected areas, especially by monitoring and addressing
Article 7
developments in this regard.
Privileges and immunities of the EUSR and the staff of the
EUSR
Article 4
The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for
Implementation of the mandate
the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the
1. The
EUSR
shall
be
responsible
for
the
implementation
of EUSR and the members of the EUSR’s staff shall be agreed with
the mandate, acting under the authority of the HR.
the host party or parties, as appropriate. Member States and the
Commission shall grant all necessary support to such effect.
2. The
Political
and
Security
Committee
(PSC)
shall
maintain
a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the EUSR’s primary
Article 8
point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide the
EUSR with strategic guidance and political direction within the
Security of EU classified information
framework of the mandate, without prejudice to the powers of
The EUSR and the members of his team shall respect the
the HR.
security principles and minimum standards established by
Council Decision 2011/292/EU of 31 March 2011 on the
3. The
EUSR
shall
work
in
close
coordination
with
the security rules for protecting EU classified information ( 1 ).
European External Action Service (EEAS) and its competent
departments.
Article 9
Article 5
Access to information and logistical support
Financing
1. Member States, the Commission and the General Secre
tariat of the Council shall ensure that the EUSR is given access
1. The
financial
reference
amount
intended
to
cover
the to any relevant information.
expenditure related to the mandate of the EUSR in the period
from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 shall be EUR 6 380 000.
2. Union
delegations
and/or
Member
States,
as
appropriate,
2. The
expenditure
shall
be
managed
in
accordance
with
the shall provide logistical support in the region.
procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the
Union.
( 1 ) OJ L 141, 27.5.2011, p. 17.

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L 165/70
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
26.6.2012
Article 10
Article 12
Security
Coordination
In accordance with the Union’s policy on the security of
1. The
EUSR
shall
contribute
to
the
unity,
consistency
and
personnel deployed outside the Union in an operational
effectiveness of the Union’s action and shall help ensure that all
capacity under Title V of the Treaty, the EUSR shall take all
Union instruments and Member States’ actions are engaged
reasonably practicable measures, in conformity with the EUSR’s
consistently, to attain the Union’s policy objectives. The
mandate and the security situation in the geographical area of
activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated with those of the
responsibility, for the security of all personnel under the EUSR’s
Commission, as well as with those of the EUSR for Central Asia
direct authority, notably by:
and with the Union’s Delegation in Pakistan. The EUSR shall
provide Member States’ missions and Union delegations with
(a) establishing a mission-specific security plan based on
regular briefings.
guidance from the EEAS, including mission-specific
physical, organisational and procedural security measures,
2. In the field, close liaison shall be maintained with the
governing management of the secure movement of
Heads of the Union delegations and Member States’ Heads of
personnel to, and within, the mission area, as well as
Mission. They shall make every effort to assist the EUSR in the
management of security incidents and a mission
implementation of the mandate. The EUSR shall provide the
contingency and evacuation plan;
Head of the EU Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL Afghan
istan) with local political guidance. The EUSR and the Civilian
(b) ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the Union are
Operation Commander shall consult each other as required. The
covered by high risk insurance as required by the conditions
EUSR shall also liaise with other international and regional
in the mission area;
actors in the field.
Article 13
(c) ensuring that all members of the EUSR’s team to be
deployed outside the Union, including locally contracted
Review
personnel, have received appropriate security training
before or upon arriving in the mission area, based on the
The implementation of this Decision and its consistency with
risk ratings assigned to the mission area by the EEAS;
other contributions from the Union to the region shall be kept
under regular review. The EUSR shall present the HR, the
Council and the Commission with a progress report by the
(d) ensuring that all agreed recommendations made following
end of December 2012 and a comprehensive mandate imple
regular security assessments are implemented and providing
mentation report at the end of the mandate.
the HR, the Council and the Commission with written
reports on their implementation and on other security
Article 14
issues within the framework of the progress and mandate
implementation reports.
Entry into force
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
Article 11
Reporting
The EUSR shall regularly provide the HR and the PSC with oral
Done at Luxembourg, 25 June 2012.
and written reports. The EUSR shall also report to Council
working parties as necessary. Regular written reports shall be
For the Council
circulated through the COREU network. Upon recommendation
of the HR or the PSC, the EUSR shall provide the Foreign
The President
Affairs Council with reports.
C. ASHTON

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