Council Decision 2008/814/CFSP of 13 October 2008 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on the participation of the United States of America in the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX KOSOVO

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 24 thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Presidency,

Whereas:

1. On 4 February 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX KOSOVO⁽¹⁾.

2. That Joint Action provides that detailed arrangements regarding the participation of third States shall be laid down in an agreement to be concluded in accordance with Article 24 of the Treaty.

3. On 13 December 2004, the Council authorised the Presidency, assisted where necessary by the Secretary-General/High Representative, in case of future EU civilian crisis management operations to open negotiations with third States with a view to concluding an agreement on the basis of the model agreement between the European Union and a third State on the participation of a third State in a European Union civilian crisis management operation. On that basis, the Presidency negotiated an Agreement with the United States of America on the participation of the United States of America in the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX KOSOVO.

4. The Agreement should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: