COUNCIL DECISION 2013/355/CFSP

of 3 July 2013

amending and extending Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP on establishing a European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28, Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 25 November 2005, the Council adopted Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP(1).

(2) On 25 June 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/332/CFSP(2) amending Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP and extending it until 30 June 2013.

(3) On 7 June 2013, the Political and Security Committee recommended to extend the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) for an additional period of 12 months until 30 June 2014.

(4) EU BAM Rafah should be further extended from 1 July 2013 until 30 June 2014 on the basis of the current mandate.

(5) EU BAM Rafah will be conducted 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

Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP is hereby amended as follows:

(1) Article 5 is amended as follows:

(a) the following paragraph is inserted:

‘1a. The Head of Mission shall be the representative of the Mission. The Head of Mission may delegate management tasks in staff and financial matters to staff members of the Mission, under his/her overall responsibility.’;

(b) paragraph 4 is deleted;

(2) Article 8(3) is replaced by the following:

‘3. The conditions of employment and the rights and obligations of international and local staff shall be laid down in the contracts to be concluded between EU BAM Rafah and the staff member concerned.’;

(3) the following Article is inserted:

‘Article 12a

Legal arrangements

EU BAM Rafah shall have the capacity to procure services and supplies, to enter into contracts and administrative arrangements, to employ staff, to hold bank accounts, to acquire and dispose of assets and to discharge its liabilities, and to be a party to legal proceedings, as required in order to implement this Joint Action.’;

(4) Article 13 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 13

Financial arrangements

1. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EU BAM Rafah for the period from 25 November 2005 to 31 December 2011 shall be EUR 21 570 000.

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EU BAM Rafah for the period from 1 January 2012 to 30 June 2012 shall be EUR 970 000.

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EU BAM Rafah for the period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 shall be EUR 980 000.

The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EU BAM Rafah for the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 shall be EUR 940 000.

2. All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union. Nationals of third States contributing financially to the Mission, host parties and, if required for the operational needs of the Mission, of neighbouring countries shall be allowed to tender for contracts.

3. EU BAM Rafah shall be responsible for the implementation of the Mission’s budget. For that purpose, the Mission shall sign an agreement with the Commission.

4. EU BAM Rafah shall be responsible for any claims and obligations arising from the implementation of the mandate starting from 1 July 2013, with the exception of any claims relating to serious misconduct by the Head of Mission, for which he/she shall bear the responsibility.

5. The financial arrangements shall respect the chain of command as provided for in Articles 4, 4a and 5 and the operational requirements of EU BAM Rafah, including compatibility of equipment and interoperability of its teams.

6. Expenditure shall be eligible as of the date of entry into force of this Joint Action.’;

(5) in Article 16, the second paragraph is replaced by the following:

‘It shall expire on 30 June 2014.’;

(6) Article 17 is deleted.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of adoption.

It shall apply from 1 July 2013.

Done at Brussels, 3 July 2013.

For the Council

The President

L. LINKEVIČIUS

(1)

OJ L 327, 14.12.2005, p. 28

(2)

OJ L 165, 26.6.2012, p. 71