Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/907 of 25 June 2018 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia

Article 1

European Union Special Representative

The mandate of Toivo KLAAR as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia (South Caucasus) is extended until 31 August 2024. The Council may decide that the mandate of the EUSR 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

The EUSR's mandate shall be based on the policy objectives of the Union for the South Caucasus, including the objectives set out in the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting held in Brussels on 1 September 2008 and the Council conclusions of 15 September 2008, as well as those of 27 February 2012. Those objectives include:

• (a) in accordance with the existing mechanisms, including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its Minsk Group, to prevent conflicts in the region, to contribute to a peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, including the crisis in Georgia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, by promoting the return of refugees and internally displaced persons and through other appropriate means, and to support the implementation of such a settlement in accordance with the principles of international law;

• (b) to engage constructively with the main interested actors regarding the region;

• (c) to encourage and to support further cooperation between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and, as appropriate, their neighbouring countries;

• (d) to enhance the Union's effectiveness and visibility in the region.

Article 3

Mandate

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

• (a) develop contacts with governments, parliaments, other key political actors, the judiciary and civil society in the region;

• (b) encourage the countries in the region to cooperate and facilitate such cooperation on regional themes of common interest, such as common security threats, the fight against terrorism, illicit trafficking and organised crime; encourage and facilitate cross-border and trans-boundary cooperation where feasible to address local needs and build trust and reconciliation;

• (c) contribute to the peaceful settlement of conflicts in accordance with the principles of international law and facilitate the implementation of such settlement in close coordination with the United Nations and the OSCE; and in support of the OSCE Minsk Group and its co-chairs;

• (d) with respect to the crisis in Georgia:
• (i) help prepare for the international talks held under point 6 of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008, the Geneva International Discussions, and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008, including on arrangements for security and stability in the region, the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, on the basis of internationally recognised principles, and any other subject, by mutual agreement between the parties;
• (ii) help establish the Union’s position and represent it, at the level of the EUSR, in the talks referred to in point (i); and
• (iii) facilitate the implementation of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008 and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008;

• (e) facilitate the development and implementation of confidence-building measures in coordination with Member States’ expertise where available and appropriate;

• (f) facilitate and contribute to inclusive peace-building efforts within the societies with the aim of overcoming the conflicts and consolidating peace;

• (g) assist in the preparation, as appropriate, of Union contributions to possible conflict settlement;

• (h) intensify the Union’s dialogue with the main actors concerned regarding the region;

• (i) assist the Union in further developing a comprehensive policy towards the South Caucasus;

• (j) in the framework of the activities set out in this Article, contribute to the implementation of the Union’s human rights policy and the Union Guidelines on Human Rights, in particular with regard to children and women in areas affected by conflicts, especially by monitoring and addressing developments in this regard.

Article 4

Implementation of the mandate

Article 5

Financing

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR's mandate for the period from 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021 shall be EUR 2 900 000 .

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR’s mandate for the period from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2022 shall be EUR 2 940 000 .

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR’s mandate for the period from 1 March 2022 to 31 August 2022 shall be EUR 1 462 000 .

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR’s mandate for the period from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023 shall be EUR 2 912 000 .

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR’s mandate for the period from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 shall be EUR 2 763 000 .

Article 6

Constitution and composition of the team

Article 7

Privileges and immunities of the EUSR and the staff of the EUSR

The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the EUSR's mission and the members of the EUSR's staff shall be agreed with the host countries, as appropriate. Member States and the EEAS shall grant all necessary support to such effect.

Article 8

Security of EU classified information

The EUSR and the members of the EUSR's team shall respect the security principles and minimum standards established by Council Decision 2013/488/EU ([^E0001]).

Article 9

Access to information and logistical support

Article 10

Security

In accordance with the Union's policy on the security of personnel deployed outside the Union in an operational capacity under Title V of the Treaty, the EUSR shall take all reasonably practicable measures, in accordance with the EUSR's mandate and the security situation in the area of responsibility, for the security of all personnel under the EUSR's direct authority, in particular by:

• (a) establishing a specific security plan based on guidance from the EEAS, including specific physical, organisational and procedural security measures, governing the management of the secure movement of personnel to and within the area of responsibility, as well as management of security incidents and providing for a contingency and evacuation plan;

• (b) ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the Union are covered by high-risk insurance, as required by the conditions in the area of responsibility;

• (c) ensuring that all members of the EUSR's team to be deployed outside the Union, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the area of responsibility, based on the risk ratings assigned to that area by the EEAS;

• (d) ensuring that all agreed recommendations made following regular security assessments are implemented and providing the Council, the HR and the Commission with written reports on their implementation and on other security issues within the framework of the progress report and the report on the implementation of the mandate.

Article 11

Reporting

The EUSR shall regularly provide the HR and the PSC with oral and written reports. The EUSR shall also report to Council working parties as necessary. Regular reports shall be circulated through the COREU network. The EUSR may provide the Foreign Affairs Council with reports. In accordance with Article 36 of the Treaty, the EUSR may be involved in briefing the European Parliament.

Article 12

Coordination

Article 13

Assistance in relation to claims

The EUSR and the EUSR's staff shall assist in providing elements to respond to any claims and obligations arising from the mandates of the previous EUSRs for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, and shall provide administrative assistance and access to relevant files for such purposes.

Article 14

Review

The implementation of this Decision and its consistency with other contributions from the Union to the region shall be kept under regular review.  The EUSR shall present the Council, the HR and the Commission with regular progress reports and a final comprehensive mandate implementation report by 31 May 2024.

The final comprehensive mandate implementation report of the EUSR shall be presented by 30 November 2020.

Article 15

Entry into force

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

[^E0001]: Council Decision 2013/488/EU of 23 September 2013 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (OJ L 274, 15.10.2013, p. 1).