39 U Police Mission in Macedonia
(a)
(24891)
(b)
(24917)
|
Draft Council Joint Action for a possible European Union Police Mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Council Decision concerning the appointment of the Head of Mission/Police Commissioner of the European Union Police Mission (EUPol) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
|
Legal base | Article 14 EU; unanimity
|
Department | Foreign and Commonwealth Office
|
Basis of consideration | Minister's letters and EMs of 25 September and 2 October 2003
|
Previous Committee Report | None
|
Discussed in Council | Adopted at 29 September GAERC
|
Committee's assessment | Politically important
|
Committee's decision | Cleared, but further information requested
|
Background
39.1 On 17 September 2003, we considered a letter dated 10 September
from the Minister for Europe (Mr Denis MacShane) in which he advised
us that the EU was thinking of sending a police mission to the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on 15 December.[82]
The Joint Action on the police mission
39.2 On 25 September the Minister submitted an Explanatory Memorandum
on the draft Joint Action and said that he hoped that we would
understand that, with Parliament in recess, it would be necessary
to override scrutiny when the draft was put to the General Affairs
and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 29 September for adoption
by the Council. The decision had to be taken then to ensure that
the planning process and the setting up of the mission, EUPol
"Proxima", could start in good time. He stressed that,
although it would follow the successful EU Military Mission, Operation
Concordia, in FYROM, for which the mandate lasts until 15 December
2003, there would be no explicit link between the mandates of
the two missions.
39.3 At the UK's request, a comprehensive risk assessment
would be carried out as a priority in the planning process. The
Minister said that this was intended to ensure that the planning
phase took account of the fluid security situation on the ground.
39.4 The Minister attaches the final version of the
Joint Action to his letter of 2 October. He says that it does
not differ in any significant way from that submitted on 25 September.
It sets out the broad mission statement and a basic structure,
the chain of command and arrangements for the political oversight
of the mission, primarily through the Political and Security Committee
reporting to the Council. These follow closely the arrangements
for the EU Police Mission in Bosnia. In its covering note to
COREPER[83] on the draft
Joint Action, the Presidency said that it envisaged that the mission
would be composed of up to 180 police officers and 20 civilians.
39.5 The budget estimates are 7.3 million for
start-up costs, to include planning costs of 420,000, and
running costs for the first year of 7.4 million, plus 6.6million
yearly for per diems.[84]
Per diems for 2003 were set at 100 per person.
They are quoted separately as it is not clear whether there will
be sufficient funds in the 2004 CFSP budget for per diems.
The Council will decide on the final amount for the year
2004, including the method of financing per diems, in December.
The Council Decision
39.6 The 29 September GAERC also adopted a Council
Decision implementing the provision in the Joint Action for the
appointment of a Police Head of Mission, on the basis of a proposal
from the Secretary General/High Representative Javier Solana.
It appoints Bart d'Hooge, a Belgian national and Head of the
OSCE policing presence in FRYOM. He will head the EUPol "Proxima"
planning team immediately and become Head of Mission when the
Mission begins in December.
The Government's view
39.7 The Minister says that the EU's operations
in FRYOM continue to ensure the EU's active involvement in developing
a stable, secure environment to allow the Government of FYROM
to implement the Ohrid Framework Agreement. This is the agreement
which brought the crisis of 2001 to a close and which guarantees
equality for ethnic Albanians. The Government supports "Proxima",
since it sees a clear need for assistance with reform, training
and the provision of advice in the policing sector. FYROM has
already received help in some areas of police reform through the
OSCE and bilateral projects and the new EUPol mission will take
these into account. The Government is content that, by launching
this mission, the EU is demonstrating its continued commitment
to and involvement in the post-conflict stabilisation of FYROM.
39.8 On the financial implications, the Minister
comments that the UK share is around 18%. If the UK decides to
send any police officers or other personnel to the mission, it
will bear that cost as well. He adds:
"The Government supports the principle that
all running costs for ESDP civilian operations should be funded
from the Community budget (as set out in Article 28.3 TEU) as
far as possible. But it will look at overall budget prioritisation
for Category Four External Action, of which the CFSP budget is
part, before taking a decision on this particular case".
39.9 In his Supplementary Memorandum of 2 October,
the Minister supports the appointment of Bart d'Hooge, as Head
of Mission. He enjoys the support of the EU Special Representative
to FYROM and has experience of policing there.
Conclusion
39.10 We thank the Minister for providing us
with advance warning of the Council's intention to establish this
police mission and with a full account of the Government's view
of it.
39.11 We ask the Minister whether, if it is decided
that the running costs for this mission should be charged to Category
Four of the Community Budget, the decision would have an impact
on other external actions for which provision has been made and,
if so, which actions would be affected.
39.12 We now clear both documents.
82 Not reported. Back
83
The Committee of Permanent Representatives. Back
84
Subsistence allowance for local expenses, usually including the
cost of a hotel bed. Back
|