Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/489 of 2 April 2020 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues

Article 1

European Union Special Representative

Mr Miroslav LAJČÁK is hereby appointed as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues from 2 April 2020 until 31 March 2021.

The mandate of Mr Miroslav LAJČÁK as the EUSR for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues is extended until 31 August 2022.

The mandate of Mr Miroslav LAJČÁK as the EUSR for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues is extended until 31 August 2024.

The mandate of Mr Miroslav LAJČÁK as the EUSR for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues is extended until 31 January 2025.

The Council may decide that the mandate of the EUSR be extended or terminated earlier, on the basis of 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 mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the following policy objectives of the Union in the Western Balkans and shall be in line with established Union policies:

• (a) first and foremost, achieving comprehensive normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, which is key to their respective European paths;

• (b) improving good neighbourly relations and also promoting reconciliation;

• (c) enhancing Union visibility and effectiveness through public diplomacy;

• (d) contributing to the unity, consistency and effectiveness of Union action in the Western Balkans, as appropriate.

Article 3

Mandate

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

• (a) as regards the core of the mandate, to facilitate on behalf of the HR the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue in close coordination with the Member States, to work on the comprehensive normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo through the conclusion of a legally binding agreement that addresses all outstanding issues between the parties in accordance with international law and contributes to regional stability, and to monitor and assist as necessary the work of the parties on the implementation of past agreements reached within the framework of the EU-Facilitated Dialogue;

• (b) additionally, as appropriate, to work on improving good neighbourly relations and reconciliation between partners in the Western Balkans, helping overcome the legacy of the past;

• (c) actively to engage in enhancing the Union’s effectiveness and visibility in the Western Balkans through public diplomacy, as well as to communicate and promote Union values and the broader Union agenda for the region, as appropriate, contributing to a broader understanding of and support for issues related to the Union;

• (d) to work in a coordinated and coherent manner with all the Union’s efforts and the overall Union policies regarding the region, as well as with Union delegations, Union offices and in particular with other EUSRs in the Western Balkans, and to maintain close contact with the Member States;

• (e) to support the work of the HR and the activities of the Union in the region.

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 April 2021 to 31 August 2022 shall be EUR 2 580 000 .

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR’s mandate for the period from 1 September 2022 to 31 January 2025 shall be EUR 6 779 994,20 .

Article 6

Constitution and composition of the team

Article 7

Privileges and immunities of the EUSR and the EUSR’s staff

Those privileges, immunities and further guarantees relating to the EUSR and EUSR staff members which are necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission shall be agreed with the host parties, 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 conformity with the EUSR’s mandate and on the basis of 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 management of the secure movement of personnel to and within the area of responsibility, as well as management of security incidents and a mission 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 staff 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 HR, the Council and the Commission with written reports on their implementation and on other security issues within the framework of the progress reports and the mandate implementation reports.

Article 11

Reporting

The EUSR shall regularly provide the HR and the PSC with 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. The EUSR may be involved in providing information to the European Parliament.

Article 12

Coordination and coherence

Article 13

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 1 January 2025.

Article 14

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).