THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28, 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:
(1)
On 5 December 2011, the Council reaffirmed its unequivocal commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkans, which remains essential for the stability, reconciliation and future of the region. It also reaffirmed the Union policy towards Kosovo as recalled in previous Council Conclusions.
(2)
On 5 May 2011, the Council adopted Decision 2011/270/CFSP appointing Mr Fernando GENTILINI as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Kosovo, whose mandate expires on 31 January 2012.
(3)
Mr Samuel ŽBOGAR should be appointed as EUSR in Kosovo from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013.
(4)
The Stabilisation and Association Process is the strategic framework of the Union’s policy towards the Western Balkan region, and its instruments apply to Kosovo, including a European partnership, political and technical dialogue under the Stabilisation and Association Process dialogue, and related Union assistance programmes.
(5)
The mandate of the EUSR will be implemented in coordination with the Commission in order to ensure consistency with other relevant activities falling within Union competence.
(6)
The Council envisages that the powers and authorities of the EUSR and the powers and authorities of the Head of the European Union Office in Pristina shall be vested in the same person.
(7)
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: