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 Council may decide that the mandate of the EUSR be 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).
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
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
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 31(2) and Article 33 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
It is crucial to intensify Union engagement in the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo(*) and Union engagement in the Western Balkans.
A European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues should be appointed for a period of 12 months.
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
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:
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first and foremost, achieving comprehensive normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, which is key to their respective European paths;
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improving good neighbourly relations and also promoting reconciliation;
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enhancing Union visibility and effectiveness through public diplomacy;
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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:
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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to support the work of the HR and the activities of the Union in the region.
Article 4 Implementation of the mandate
1.
The EUSR shall be responsible for the implementation of the mandate, acting under the authority of the HR.
2.
The PSC shall maintain a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the EUSR’s primary point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide the EUSR with strategic guidance and political direction within the framework of the mandate, without prejudice to the powers of the HR.
3.
The EUSR shall work in close coordination and cooperation with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the relevant departments thereof.