2010/168/CFSP: Council Decision 2010/168/CFSP of 22 March 2010 appointing the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan

• Published date: 23 March 2010
• Subject Matter: Common foreign and security policy
• Official Gazette Publication: Official Journal of the European Union, L 75, 23 March 2010

23.3.2010 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 75/22

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COUNCIL DECISION 2010/168/CFSP

of 22 March 2010

appointing the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in particular, Articles 28, 31(2) and 33 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 24 July 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/612/CFSP (1) concerning the appointment of a European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Afghanistan.

(2) Mr Vygaudas USACKAS should be appointed as EUSR in Afghanistan from 1 April 2010 to 31 August 2010. However, the mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, on a recommendation of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) following the entry into force of the decision establishing the European External Action Service.

(3) The EUSR in Afghanistan will implement his mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could harm the objectives of the Common Foreign and Security Policy as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Appointment

Mr Vygaudas USACKAS is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Afghanistan from 1 April 2010 until 31 August 2010. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, on a recommendation of the HR following the entry into force of the decision establishing the European External Action Service

Article 2

Policy objectives

The EUSR shall represent the European Union (hereinafter referred to as ‘the EU’ or ‘the Union’) and promote EU policy objectives in Afghanistan, in close coordination with EU Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan. More specifically, the EUSR shall:

(a) contribute to the implementation of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and lead the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it concerns Afghanistan, thereby working with EU Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan;

(b) support the pivotal role played by the United Nations (UN) in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on contributing to better coordinated international assistance, thereby promoting the implementation of the London Conference Communiqué, the Afghanistan Compact as well as relevant UN Resolutions.

Article 3

Mandate

In order to fulfil the mandate, the EUSR shall, in close cooperation with EU Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan:

(a) promote the views of the Union on the political process and developments in Afghanistan;

(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 authorities. Contact should also be maintained with other Afghan political groups and other relevant actors in Afghanistan;

(c) maintain close contact with relevant international and regional stakeholders in Afghanistan, notably the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN and the Senior Civilian Representative of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and other key partners and organisations;

(d) advise on the progress achieved in meeting the objectives of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration, the EU Action Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it relates to Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Compact and the London Conference Communiqué, in particular in the following areas: — civilian capacity building, notably at sub-national level, — good governance and the establishment of institutions of the rule of law, in particular an independent judiciary, — electoral reforms, — security sector reforms, including strengthening of judicial institutions, a national army and a police force, — promotion of growth, namely through agriculture and rural development,

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