Article 3Mandate

In order to achieve the policy objectives, the EUSR's mandate shall be:

(a)

to develop contacts with governments, parliaments, other key political actors, the judiciary and civil society in the region;

(b)

to encourage the countries in the region to cooperate on regional themes of common interest, such as common security threats, the fight against terrorism, illicit trafficking and organised crime;

(c)

to contribute to the peaceful settlement of conflicts in accordance with the principles of international law and to facilitate the implementation of such settlement in close coordination with the United Nations, the OSCE and its Minsk Group;

(d)

with respect to the crisis in Georgia:

(i)

to help prepare for the international talks held under point 6 of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008 (‘Geneva International Discussions’) and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008, including on arrangements for security and stability in the region, the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, on the basis of internationally recognised principles, and any other subject, by mutual agreement between the parties;

(ii)

to help establish the Union's position and represent it, at the level of the EUSR, in the talks referred to in point (i); and

(iii)

to facilitate the implementation of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008 and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008;

(e)

to facilitate the development and implementation of confidence-building measures in coordination with Member States' expertise, where available and appropriate;

(f)

to assist in the preparation, as appropriate, of Union contributions to the implementation of a possible conflict settlement;

(g)

to intensify the Union's dialogue with the main actors concerned regarding the region;

(h)

to assist the Union in further developing a comprehensive policy towards the South Caucasus;

(i)

in the framework of the activities set out in this Article, to contribute to the implementation of the Union's human rights policy and the Union Guidelines on Human Rights, in particular with regard to children and women in areas affected by conflicts, especially by monitoring and addressing developments in this regard.