Council Decision 2012/331/CFSP of 25 June 2012 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan

The mandate of Mr Vygaudas UŠACKAS as the EUSR in Afghanistan is hereby extended until 30 June 2013. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, upon a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).

The EUSR shall represent the Union and promote Union policy objectives in Afghanistan, in close coordination with Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan. More specifically, the EUSR shall:

1. contribute to the implementation of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and lead the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it concerns Afghanistan, thereby working with Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan;

2. support Union-Afghanistan political dialogue;

3. support the pivotal role played by the United Nations (UN) in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on contributing to better coordinated international assistance, thereby promoting the implementation of the London, Kabul and Bonn Conference Communiqués, as well as relevant UN Resolutions.

In order to fulfil the mandate, the EUSR shall, in close cooperation with Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan:

1. promote the views of the Union on the political process and developments in Afghanistan;

2. maintain close contact with, and support the development of, relevant Afghan institutions, in particular the Government and the Parliament as well as the local authorities. Contact should also be maintained with other Afghan political groups and other relevant actors in Afghanistan;

3. maintain close contact with relevant international and regional stakeholders in Afghanistan, notably the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN and the Senior Civilian Representative of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and other key partners and organisations;

4. advise on the progress achieved in meeting the objectives of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration, of the EU Action Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it concerns Afghanistan, and of the Kabul and Bonn and other relevant international Conferences, in particular in the following areas:

   • civilian capacity building, notably at sub-national level,

   • good governance and the establishment of institutions necessary for the existence of the rule of law, in particular an independent judiciary,

   • electoral reforms,

   • security sector reforms, including the strengthening of judicial institutions, the national army and the police force,

   • promotion of growth, namely through agriculture and rural development,

   • respect for Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations, including respect for the rights of persons belonging to minorities and the rights of women and children,

   • respect of democratic principles and the rule of law,

   • fostering participation by women in public administration and civil society,

   • respect for Afghanistan’s international obligations, including cooperation in international efforts to combat terrorism, illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings and proliferation of arms and weapons of mass destruction and related materials,

   • facilitation of humanitarian assistance and the orderly return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and

   • enhancing the effectiveness of Union presence and activities in Afghanistan and contributing to the formulation of the regular six-monthly implementation reports on the EU Action Plan, as requested by the Council;

5. actively participate in local coordination fora such as the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board, while keeping non-participating Member States fully informed of decisions taken at these levels;

6. advise on the participation and the positions of the Union in international conferences with regard to Afghanistan and contribute to promoting regional cooperation;

7. contribute to the implementation of the Union’s human rights policy and the EU Guidelines on Human Rights, in particular with regard to women and children in conflict-affected areas, especially by monitoring and addressing developments in this regard.