Council Decision 2012/39/CFSP of 25 January 2012 appointing the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo

• Published date: 26 January 2012
• Date of Signature: 30 March 2012
• Subject Matter: Common foreign and security policy
• Official Gazette Publication: Official Journal of the European Union, L 23, 26 January 2012

26.1.2012 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 23/5

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COUNCIL DECISION 2012/39/CFSP

of 25 January 2012

appointing the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo (1)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

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

Whereas:

(1) On 5 December 2011, the Council reaffirmed its unequivocal commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkans, which remains essential for the stability, reconciliation and future of the region. It also reaffirmed the Union policy towards Kosovo as recalled in previous Council Conclusions.

(2) On 5 May 2011, the Council adopted Decision 2011/270/CFSP (2) appointing Mr Fernando GENTILINI as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Kosovo, whose mandate expires on 31 January 2012.

(3) Mr Samuel ŽBOGAR should be appointed as EUSR in Kosovo from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013.

(4) The Stabilisation and Association Process is the strategic framework of the Union’s policy towards the Western Balkan region, and its instruments apply to Kosovo, including a European partnership, political and technical dialogue under the Stabilisation and Association Process dialogue, and related Union assistance programmes.

(5) The mandate of the EUSR will be implemented in coordination with the Commission in order to ensure consistency with other relevant activities falling within Union competence.

(6) The Council envisages that the powers and authorities of the EUSR and the powers and authorities of the Head of the European Union Office in Pristina shall be vested in the same person.

(7) The EUSR will implement the mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

European Union Special Representative

Mr Samuel ŽBOGAR is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Kosovo from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, on a proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).

Article 2

Policy objectives

The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the policy objectives of the Union in Kosovo. These include playing a leading role in promoting a stable, viable, peaceful, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo; strengthening stability in the region and contributing to regional cooperation and good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans; promoting a Kosovo that is committed to the rule of law and to the protection of minorities and of cultural and religious heritage; supporting Kosovo’s progress towards the Union in accordance with the European perspective of the region and in line with the relevant Council Conclusions.

Article 3

Mandate

In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate of the EUSR shall be to:

(a) offer the Union’s advice and support in the political process;

(b) promote overall Union political coordination in Kosovo;

(c) strengthen the presence of the Union in Kosovo and ensure its coherence and effectiveness;

(d) provide local political guidance to the Head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX KOSOVO), including on the political aspects of issues relating to executive responsibilities;

(e) ensure consistency and coherence of Union action in Kosovo;

(f) support Kosovo’s progress towards the Union, in accordance with the European perspective of the region, through targeted public communication and Union outreach activities designed to ensure a broader understanding and support from the Kosovo public on issues related to the Union;

(g) monitor, assist and facilitate progress on political, economic and European priorities, in line with respective institutional competencies and responsibilities;

(h) contribute to the development and consolidation of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Kosovo, including with regard to women and children, in accordance with the Union’s human rights policy and Union Guidelines on Human Rights;

(i)

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