Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

On 15 October 2018, in conclusions on the Central African Republic, the Council emphasised the need for the European Union to continue working, through its various instruments, to help this country get back on the road to stability, peace and development and to meet the aspiration of the Central African people as a whole for lasting peace and reconciliation.

On 6 February 2019, an inclusive Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation was signed between the government of the Central African Republic and armed groups.

On 12 July 2019, the President of the Central African Republic, in a letter to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, requested the deployment of a civilian Mission in the Central African Republic to support progress in the ongoing Security Sector Reform and to contribute to the reorganisation and deployment of the country’s Internal Security Forces.

On 21 November 2019, the Council approved a Crisis Management Concept for a possible civilian Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The Mission should be established in accordance with the approved Crisis Management Concept. A core team should make the necessary preparations to allow the Mission to reach its initial operating capability. The Mission should be launched by the Council no later than in the spring of 2020, if conditions are met.

The Political and Security Committee (PSC) should exercise, under the responsibility of the Council and of the High Representative, political control over the Mission, provide it with strategic direction and take the relevant decisions in accordance with the third paragraph of Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).

The Watch‐Keeping Capability should be activated for this Mission.

This Mission will be conducted in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action set out in Article 21 of the TEU.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: