Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Whereas:

On 12 February 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/112/CFSP on the European Union mission in support of security sector reform in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (EU SSR GUINEA-BISSAU)^f1. That Joint Action was to apply until 31 May 2009.

On 18 May 2009, the Council adopted Joint Action 2009/405/CFSP^f2, which amended Joint Action 2008/112/CFSP and extended it until 30 November 2009. On 17 November 2009 the Council adopted Joint Action 2009/841/CFSP^f3, which amended Joint Action 2008/112/CFSP and extended it until 31 May 2010.

On 5 February 2010 the Political and Security Committee (PSC) endorsed the continuation of the EU engagement in SSR in Guinea-Bissau and requested planning of a new Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission supporting implementation of SSR.

By letter dated 22 February 2010, the Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau invited the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) to launch a new mission with a mandate to provide training, guidance and advice to ensure successful continuation of SSR process.

Following the 1 April 2010 events and the launch, on 19 April 2010, of an EU political demarche vis-à-vis the Guinea-Bissau authorities, on 30 April 2010 the PSC agreed that, in order to ensure coherence across EU external policy instruments, the mandate of EU SSR GUINEA-BISSAU should be extended until 30 September 2010 with a view to making a final decision on further CSDP engagement in Guinea-Bissau by July 2010, based on a strategic review and on developments on the ground. In this context, the PSC recalled and reaffirmed the pre-conditions for further EU engagement in the field of SSR, including respect for democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law.

Joint Action 2008/112/CFSP should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: