Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 42 and 45 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1835 of 12 October 2015 defining the statute, seat and operational rules of the European Defence Agency^f1, and in particular Article 11 thereof,

Whereas:

The secondment of experts should enable the European Defence Agency (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agency’) to benefit from the high level of knowledge and professional experience of those experts, in particular in areas where such expertise is not readily available within the Agency.

The exchange of professional experience and knowledge in the field of defence, as set out in Decision (CFSP) 2015/1835, and related support functions should be supported through the temporary assignment of seconded national experts (hereinafter referred to as ‘SNEs’) from Member States' public sectors.

The rights and obligations of SNEs should ensure that they carry out their duties solely in the interests of the Agency.

The term ‘secondment’ should be construed in the context of this Decision.

Since the rules established by this Decision should replace those laid down in Council Decision 2004/677/EC^f2, that Decision should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: