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26.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
165/53
COUNCIL DECISION 2012/326/CFSP
of 25 June 2012
extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and
the crisis in Georgia
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
(c) to encourage and to support further cooperation between
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and, as appropriate, their
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in
neighbouring countries;
particular Article 28, Article 31(2) and Article 33 thereof,
(d) to enhance the Union’s effectiveness and visibility in the
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of
region.
the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Article 3
Whereas:
Mandate
(1) On
25
August
2011,
the
Council
adopted
Decision
2011/518/CFSP ( 1 ) appointing Mr Philippe LEFORT as
In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate of the
the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for
EUSR shall be:
the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia. The
EUSR’s mandate is to expire on 30 June 2012.
(a) to develop contacts with governments, parliaments, other
key political actors, the judiciary and civil society in the
(2) The
mandate
of
the
EUSR
should
be
extended
for
a
region;
further period of 12 months.
(b) to encourage the countries in the region to cooperate on
(3) The
EUSR
will
implement
the
mandate
in
the
context
of
regional themes of common interest, such as common
a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the
security threats, the fight against terrorism, illicit trafficking
achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external
and organised crime;
action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,
(c) to contribute to the peaceful settlement of conflicts in
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
accordance with the principles of international law and to
facilitate the implementation of such settlement in close
Article 1
coordination with the United Nations, the OSCE and its
European Union Special Representative
Minsk Group;
The mandate of Mr Philippe LEFORT as the EUSR for the South
(d) with respect to the crisis in Georgia:
Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia is hereby extended until
30 June 2013. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated
(i) to help prepare for the international talks held under
earlier, if the Council so decides, on a proposal of the High
point 6 of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008
Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
(‘Geneva International Discussions’) and its imple
Policy (HR).
menting measures of 8 September 2008, including on
arrangements for security and stability in the region, the
Article 2
issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, on
Policy objectives
the basis of internationally recognised principles, and
any other subject, by mutual agreement between the
The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the policy
parties;
objectives of the Union for the South Caucasus, including the
objectives set out in the conclusions of the extraordinary
(ii) to help establish the Union’s position and represent it,
European Council meeting in Brussels on 1 September 2008
at the level of the EUSR, in the talks referred to in point
and the Council conclusions of 15 September 2008, as well as
(i); and
those of 27 February 2012. Those objectives include:
(iii) to facilitate the implementation of the settlement plan
(a) in accordance with the existing mechanisms, including the
of 12 August 2008 and its implementing measures of
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe
8 September 2008;
(OSCE) and its Minsk Group, to prevent conflicts in the
region, to contribute to a peaceful settlement of conflicts
(e) to facilitate the development and implementation of
in the region, including the crisis in Georgia and the
confidence-building measures;
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, by promoting the return of
refugees and internally displaced persons and through
(f) to assist in the preparation, as appropriate, of Union
other appropriate means, and to support the implemen
contributions to the implementation of a possible conflict
tation of such a settlement in accordance with the principles
settlement;
of international law;
(g) to intensify the Union’s dialogue with the main actors
(b) to engage constructively with the main interested actors
concerned regarding the region;
regarding the region;
(h) to assist the Union in further developing a comprehensive
( 1 ) OJ L 221, 27.8.2011, p. 5.
policy towards the South Caucasus;

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L 165/54
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
26.6.2012
(i) in the framework of the activities set out in this Article, to
institution of the Union or the EEAS and shall carry out their
contribute to the implementation of the Union’s human
duties 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 children and women in areas
Article 7
affected by conflicts, especially by monitoring and
addressing 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 EUSR’s mission
and the members of the EUSR’s staff shall be agreed with the
1. The
EUSR
shall
be
responsible
for
the
implementation
of host party or parties, as appropriate. Member States and the
the mandate, acting under the authority of the HR.
Commission shall grant all necessary support to such effect.
2. The
Political
and
Security
Committee
(PSC)
shall
maintain
Article 8
a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the EUSR’s primary
Security of EU classified information
point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide the
EUSR with strategic guidance and political direction within the
The EUSR and the members of the EUSR’s team shall respect
framework of the mandate, without prejudice to the powers of
the security principles and minimum standards established by
the HR.
Council Decision 2011/292/EU of 31 March 2011 on the
security rules for protecting EU classified information ( 1 ).
3. The
EUSR
shall
work
in
close
coordination
with
the
European External Action Service (EEAS) and its relevant depart
Article 9
ments.
Access to information and logistical support
Article 5
1. Member States, the Commission and the General Secre
tariat of the Council shall ensure that the EUSR is given access
Financing
to any relevant information.
1. The
financial
reference
amount
intended
to
cover
the
expenditure related to the mandate of the EUSR in the period
2. The Union delegations in the region and/or the Member
from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 shall be EUR 2 000 000.
States, as appropriate, shall provide logistical support in the
region.
2. The expenditure financed by the amount set out in
paragraph 1 shall be eligible as from 1 July 2012. The expen
Article 10
diture shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and
Security
rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.
In accordance with the Union’s policy on the security of
personnel deployed outside the Union in an operational
3. The
management
of
the
expenditure
shall
be
subject
to
a capacity under Title V of the Treaty, the EUSR shall take all
contract between the EUSR and the Commission. The EUSR
reasonably practicable measures, in accordance with the EUSR’s
shall be accountable to the Commission for all expenditure.
mandate and the security situation in the geographical area of
responsibility, for the security of all personnel under the direct
Article 6
authority of the EUSR, in particular by:
Constitution and composition of the team
(a) establishing a mission-specific security plan based on
1. Within the limits of the EUSR’s mandate and the
guidance from the EEAS, providing for mission-specific
corresponding financial means made available, the EUSR shall
physical, organisational and procedural security measures
be responsible for constituting a team. The team shall include
governing the management of the secure movement of
the expertise on specific policy issues as required by the
personnel to, and within, the mission area and the
mandate. The EUSR shall keep the Council and the Commission
management of security incidents, and providing for a
promptly informed of the composition of the team.
contingency plan and a mission evacuation plan;
2.
Member States, the institutions of the Union and the EEAS
(b) ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the Union are
may propose the secondment of staff to the EUSR. The salary of
covered by high risk insurance, as required by the
such seconded personnel shall be covered by the Member State,
conditions in the mission area;
the institution of the Union concerned or the EEAS, respect
ively. Experts seconded by Member States to the institutions of
(c) ensuring that all members of the EUSR’s team to be
the Union or the EEAS may also be posted to the EUSR. Inter
deployed outside the Union, including locally contracted
national contracted staff shall have the nationality of a Member
personnel, have received appropriate security training
State.
before or upon arriving in the mission area, based on the
risk ratings assigned to the mission area by the EEAS;
3. All
seconded
personnel
shall
remain
under
the
adminis
trative authority of the sending Member State, the sending
( 1 ) OJ L 141, 27.5.2011, p. 17.

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EN
26.6.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
165/55
(d) ensuring that all agreed recommendations made following
coordination with the Head of Union Delegation to Georgia,
regular security assessments are implemented, and providing
shall provide the Head of the European Union Monitoring
the Council, the HR and the Commission with written
Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia) with local political
reports on their implementation and on other security
guidance. The EUSR and the Civilian Operation Commander
issues within the framework of the progress report and
for EUMM Georgia shall consult each other as required. The
the report on the implementation of the mandate.
EUSR shall also liaise with other international and regional
actors in the field.
Article 11
Reporting
Article 13
The EUSR shall regularly provide the PSC and the HR with oral
Review
and written reports. The EUSR shall also report to Council
The implementation of this Decision and its consistency with
working parties as necessary. Regular written reports shall be
other contributions from the Union to the region shall be kept
circulated through the COREU network. Upon recommendation
under regular review. The EUSR shall present the Council, the
of the PSC or the HR, the EUSR may provide the Foreign Affairs
HR and the Commission with a progress report by the end of
Council with reports.
December 2012, and, at the end of the EUSR’s mandate, with a
comprehensive report on the implementation of the mandate.
Article 12
Coordination
Article 14
1. The
EUSR
shall
contribute
to
the
unity,
consistency
and
Entry into force
effectiveness of the Union’s action and shall help ensure that all
Union instruments and Member States’ actions are engaged
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
consistently, to attain the Union’s policy objectives. The
activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated with those of the
Commission. The EUSR shall provide regular briefings to
Member States’ missions and the Union’s delegations.
Done at Luxembourg, 25 June 2012.
2. In
the
field,
close
liaison
shall
be
maintained
with
the
For the Council
Heads of Union delegations and Member States’ Heads of
Mission, who shall make every effort to assist the EUSR in
The President
the implementation of the mandate. The EUSR, in close
C. ASHTON

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