THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof, in conjunction with Article 218(5) and (6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
By letter dated 24 December 2012, the President of the Republic of Mali addressed an invitation letter to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) welcoming the deployment of an EU military training mission in Mali.
(2)
On 17 January 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/34/CFSP on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of the Malian Armed Forces (EUTM Mali).
(3)
Article 9 of Decision 2013/34/CFSP provides that the status of EU-led units and personnel of EUTM Mali, including the privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the fulfilment and smooth functioning of their mission, is to be the subject of an agreement concluded pursuant to Article 37 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
(4)
Following the adoption of a Decision by the Council on 17 January 2013 authorising the opening of negotiations, the HR in accordance with Article 37 TEU negotiated an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mali on the status in the Republic of Mali of the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of the Malian Armed Forces (EUTM Mali) (‘the Agreement’).
(5)
In accordance with Article 5 of the Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark annexed to the TEU and to the TFEU, Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications. Denmark does not participate in the implementation of this Decision and therefore does not participate in the financing of this mission.
(6)
The Agreement should be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: