Summary: 16 October 2007, Luxembourg - Council of the European Union, 2824th EXTERNAL RELATIONS meeting, 15-16 October 2007
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"1. The EU strongly supports the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) ongoing efforts to solving the conflict in Darfur within a comprehensive and regional approach. Following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007), which approves the deployment in Chad and the Central African Republic of a multidimensional presence and authorizes the EU to provide the military element of it, the EU will conduct a bridging military operation in Eastern Chad and North Eastern
Central African Republic (EUFOR TCHAD/RCA) in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy, for a period of one year from the date that its initial operational capability is declared. This deployment has been welcomed by both the governments of Chad and the Central African Republic. By addressing the regional dimension of the Darfur crisis, the deployment of EUFOR TCHAD/RCA and a UN police mission, in parallel to UNAMID in Sudan, is a crucial step to facilitate a long lasting
solution to the conflict in Darfur.
2. The Council welcomes the designation of Lieutenant General (IE) Patrick Nash as the Operation Commander and Brigadier General (FR) Jean-Philippe Ganascia as the Force Commander. The Operation Headquarters of EUFOR TCHAD/RCA will be located at Mont Valérien (France). The Council underlines its determination to commit the necessary means, in order to allow the Operation Commander to fulfil his mandate with the necessary forces and capabilities.
3. The deployment of EUFOR TCHAD/RCA is a concrete expression of the EU's commitment to actively work for the improvement of the security situation in Eastern Chad and North-Eastern Central African Republic, by contributing to the protection of refugees and IDPs, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance, helping to create the conditions for displaced people to return to their places of origin voluntarily, as well as contributing to ensure MINURCAT's security and freedom to operate.
EUFOR TCHAD/RCA will be conducted in consultation with the authorities of the countries concerned. The operation will be conducted with full independence, impartiality and neutrality. The planning of the operation will continue to take place in full coordination with the UN and in consultation with African partners. Potential third states contributors are also being consulted.
4. The establishment of EUFOR TCHAD/RCA forms part of a comprehensive EU effort to reinforce support for refugees and displaced people in Chad and the Central African Republic, including through continuing humanitarian assistance to both countries and the financing of substantial rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the zones of return for displaced persons. In this context, the Council welcomes the Commission's intention to implement transitional programmes of recovery and rehabilitation,
covering reconciliation oriented activities, support to the voluntary return of IDPs and to the rehabilitation in their places of origin, and support to local governance. In Chad, the Commission will contribute substantially to the UN programme for the establishment of the UN Police force, which will train and equip Chadian police officers as well as deploy them in the refugee and IDP camps in Eastern Chad.
5. The Council urges all states in the region, in particular Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic, to work to promote regional stability and ensure security along their common borders, and in particular to respect their engagement not to support rebel movements operating from their territory against one of the other countries. Similarly, the EU calls on Sudan and Chad to intensify efforts to normalise their relations, in accordance with the Tripoli and Riyadh agreements. The EU welcomes
the constructive role played by other regional players, including Libya and Saudi Arabia, and urges them to continue. The Council also calls on the states in the region to promote internal peace and reconciliation. In this regard, it welcomes the recent developments concerning the internal political dialogue in Chad and encourages all parties to pursue the democratic process.
6. The Council recalls that sustainable peace in Darfur is only possible once a widely acceptable political settlement for Sudan has been successfully put in place. In order that Sudan be peaceful and remain united, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) will need to be implemented in full. While taking note of the progress achieved so far, the Council notes with concern that the implementation of some provisions of the CPA have repeatedly been delayed and urges the parties to step efforts to
accelerate their implementation. In this respect, the Council is deeply concerned about the recent announcement by SPLM to suspend its participation in the Governent of National Unity and calls on all parties to reengage in the implementation of the CPA, which is of fundamental importance for the future of Sudan.
7. The Council expresses its utmost concern at and firmly condemns the increasing levels of violence in Darfur, and in particular the appalling attack on AU Peacekeepers in Haskanita, which was subsequently burned down and looted. The Council demands all parties to stop all violence and commit themselves to an unconditional, effective and verifiable cessation of hostilities as a necessary condition for the political process to succeed. The Council stands ready to consider further measures,
notably in the UN framework, to ensure humanitarian deliveries and protection of civilians. As regards the killings of AU peacekeepers, the Council calls on the Cease Fire Commission to fully investigate the attack and to hold those responsible to account. This incident also stresses the need for the urgent deployment of the UN support package to AMIS and UNAMID. Expressing its appreciation for all contributions that have been pledged to UNAMID, the Council calls for an acceleration of the
on-going efforts to this end, and in particular urges the Sudanese government to give its full collaboration to the UN and the AU to ensure that UNAMID be deployed as early as possible. The Council reiterates its readiness to consider further measures, notably in the UN framework, against any party which obstructs the implementation of the UN support package and the deployment of UNAMID.
8. The Council welcomes the outcome of the High Level meeting on Darfur that took place in New York on 21 September as an expression of the international community's shared commitment to work towards lasting peace in Darfur. It reiterates its support for the mediation under the auspices of the UN and the AU and looks forward to the start of talks on 27 October. The EU confirms its readiness to provide all possible support to the talks, including through contributions to the Trust Fund, and also
welcomes the commitments already made by Member States and the Commission. The Council recalls its position that any party failing to constructively engage in the peace process is to be considered as an obstacle to peace and that it will promote appropriate further measures against it, notably in the UN framework, in line with Security Council Resolution 1591."
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