(1)

On 20 February 2006, the Council adopted Joint Action 2006/119/CFSP extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Middle East peace process (1) until 28 February 2007.

(2)

On 7 June 2006, the Council approved the policy of the European Union on the security of personnel deployed outside the European Union in an operational capacity under Title V of the Treaty on European Union.

(3)

On 14 November 2005 the Council adopted Joint Action 2005/797/CFSP on the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian territories (2), EUPOL COPPS, which designates a specific role for the EUSR.

(4)

On 25 November 2005 the Council adopted Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP establishing a European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) (3), which also designates a specific role for the EUSR.

(5)

On the basis of a review of Joint Action 2006/119/CFSP, the mandate of the EUSR should be amended and extended for a 12-month period.

(6)

The EUSR will implement his mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could harm the Common Foreign and Security Policy objectives as set out in Article 11 of the Treaty,

(a)

provide an active and efficient contribution from the European Union to actions and initiatives leading to a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and of the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese conflicts;

(b)

facilitate and maintain close contact with all the parties to the Middle East peace process, other countries of the region, members of the Middle East Quartet and other relevant countries, as well as the UN and other relevant international organisations, in order to work with them in strengthening the peace process;

(c)

ensure continued presence of the European Union on the ground and in relevant international fora and contribute to crisis management and prevention;

(d)

observe and support peace negotiations between the parties and offer the European Union's advice and good offices as appropriate;

(e)

contribute, where requested, to the implementation of international agreements reached between the parties and engage with them diplomatically in the event of non-compliance with the terms of these agreements;

(f)

pay particular attention to factors having implication for the regional dimension of the Middle East peace process;

(g)

engage constructively with signatories to agreements within the framework of the peace process in order to promote compliance with the basic norms of democracy, including respect for human rights and the rule of law;

(h)

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

(i)

report on the possibilities for European Union intervention in the peace process and on the best way of pursuing European Union initiatives and ongoing Middle East peace-process-related European Union efforts, such as the contribution of the European Union to Palestinian reforms, and including the political aspects of relevant European Union development projects;

(j)

monitor actions by either side on the implementation of the roadmap and on issues that might prejudice the outcome of the permanent status negotiations to enable the Middle East Quartet to better assess the parties' compliance;

(k)

facilitate cooperation on security issues within the European Union-Palestinian Permanent Security Committee set up on 9 April 1998 as well as in other ways;

(l)

contribute to a better understanding of the role of the European Union among opinion leaders in the region;

(m)

develop and implement a European Union programme relating to security issues. To this end, the EUSR may be assisted by an expert charged with the practical implementation of operational projects related to security issues;

(n)

give guidance, as necessary, to the Head of Mission/Police Commissioner of the European Union Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support (EUPOL COPPS);

(o)

give guidance, as necessary, to the Head of Mission of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah).