Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/489

of 2 April 2020

appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular 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) It is crucial to intensify Union engagement in the normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo(1) and Union engagement in the Western Balkans.

(2) A European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues should be appointed for a period of 12 months.

(3) 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:

(1)

This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.