(1)

On 13 May 2019, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/762 (1) concerning the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali), which notably created a Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell (RACC) within EUCAP Sahel Mali to support the G5 Sahel structures and countries. The RACC includes a team located in Nouakchott, as well as the internal security and defence experts within the Union delegations to Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger. In addition, EUCAP Sahel Mali provides training, advice and other specific support by means of temporary deployments of teams from Mali to G5 Sahel countries, including Mauritania.

(2)

On 22 May 2019, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/832 (2), which notably provides that the European Union CSDP mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) may carry out activities as necessary in the G5 Sahel countries, including Mauritania, by temporarily deploying teams from Niger to contribute to the regionalisation of common security and defence policy (CSDP) action in the Sahel.

(3)

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, by means of a letter from its Minister for Foreign Affairs on 15 February 2019, granted the necessary privileges and immunities to the staff of the RACC, and to members of ad hoc training and advisory missions.

(4)

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, by means of a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, dated 11 May 2021, and by means of a letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, dated 12 May 2021, also granted the necessary privileges and immunities to the RACC.

(5)

However, it appeared necessary to base the status in Mauritania of the RACC, its staff members and the members of ad hoc training and advisory missions on an Agreement between the Union and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, in accordance with Council Decision 2014/219/CFSP (3) and Council Decision 2012/392/CFSP (4).

(6)

On 20 May 2021, the Council authorised the opening of negotiations with a view to concluding an Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on the status in Mauritania of the Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell, of other elements of the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali and of elements of the European Union CSDP Mission in Niger.

(7)

The new Agreement on the establishment and functioning of the European Union Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell deployed in Nouakchott to support the G5 Sahel structures, which also covers its staff members and the members of EUCAP Sahel Mali or EUCAP Sahel Niger carrying out ad hoc training and advisory missions, should be approved,