Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1340 of 8 August 2019 appointing the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Published date: 09 August 2019
• Subject Matter: Common foreign and security policy
• Official Gazette Publication: Official Journal of the European Union, L 209, 9 August 2019

9.8.2019 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 209/10

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COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2019/1340

of 8 August 2019

appointing the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

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

Whereas:

(1) On 19 January 2015, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2015/77 (1) appointing Mr Lars-Gunnar WIGEMARK as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EUSR's mandate is to expire on 31 August 2019.

(2) Mr Johann SATTLER should be appointed as the EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2021.

(3) 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 Johann SATTLER is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1 September 2019 until 31 August 2021. The Council may decide that the EUSR's mandate be terminated earlier, based on an assessment by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).

Article 2

Policy objectives

1. The EUSR's mandate shall be based on the following policy objectives of the Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH):

(a) continuing progress in the Stabilisation and Association Process;

(b) ensuring a stable, viable, peaceful, multi-ethnic and united BiH that cooperates peacefully with its neighbours; and

(c) ensuring that BiH is irreversibly on track towards Union membership, following the publication of the Commission Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina's application for membership of the European Union on 29 May 2019.

2. The Union will also continue to support the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH.

Article 3

Mandate

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

(a) offer the Union's advice and facilitate the political process, in particular with the promotion of dialogue between the different levels of government;

(b) ensure consistency and coherence of Union action;

(c) facilitate progress on political, economic and Union priorities, in particular by encouraging further work on the coordination mechanism on Union matters and the continued implementation of the European agenda for reform;

(d) support domestic efforts in line with European standards to ensure that election results can be implemented;

(e) monitor and advise the executive and legislative authorities at all levels of government in BiH, and liaise with the authorities and political parties in BiH;

(f) ensure the implementation of the Union's efforts in the whole range of activities in the field of the rule of law and the security sector reform, promote overall Union coordination of, and give local political direction to, Union efforts in tackling organised crime, corruption and terrorism and, in that context, provide the HR and the Commission with assessments and advice as necessary;

(g) provide support for a reinforced and more effective interface between criminal justice and the police in BiH, as well as for initiatives which aim to strengthen the efficiency and impartiality of the judicial institutions, in particular the Structured Dialogue on Justice;

(h) without prejudice to the military chain of command, offer the EU Force Commander political guidance on military issues with a local political dimension, in particular concerning sensitive operations, and on relations with local authorities and with the local media; consult with the EU Force Commander before taking political action that may have an impact on the security situation and coordinate regarding coherent messages to local authorities and other international organisations; contribute to the consultations on the Strategic Review of EUFOR/ALTHEA;

(i) coordinate and implement the Union's communication efforts on Union issues towards the public in BiH;

(j) promote the process of Union integration through targeted public diplomacy and Union outreach activities designed to ensure a broader understanding and support among the BiH public on Union-related matters, including by means of engagement of local civil society actors;

(k) contribute to the development and consolidation of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in

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