COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2019/1924

of 31 July 2019

on the signature and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Mali on the status of the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof, in conjunction with Article 218(5) and (6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 15 April 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/219/CFSP (1) on the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali).

(2) Article 9 of Decision 2014/219/CFSP provides that the status of EUCAP Sahel Mali and of its staff, including, where appropriate, the privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of EUCAP Sahel Mali, should be the subject of an agreement concluded pursuant to Article 37 of the Treaty on European Union and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

(3) The agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Republic of Mali (2) (the ‘Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters’), approved by Council Decision 2014/853/CFSP (3) and concluded between the European Union and the Republic of Mali on 31 October 2014, conferred a status in Mali on EUCAP Sahel Mali.

(4) On 12 June 2017, the Council authorised the opening of negotiations with the Republic of Mali with a view to the conclusion of an agreement on the status of EUCAP Sahel Mali (the ‘Agreement’) to replace the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters.

(5) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Mali on the status of the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Union.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 31 July 2019.

For the Council

The President

T. TUPPURAINEN

(1)  Council Decision 2014/219/CFSP of 15 April 2014 on the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (

OJ L 113, 16.4.2014, p. 21

).

(2)  Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Republic of Mali regarding the status of the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (

OJ L 344, 29.11.2014, p. 3

).

(3)  Council Decision 2014/853/CFSP of 8 October 2014 on the signature and on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Republic of Mali regarding the status of the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (

OJ L 344, 29.11.2014, p. 1

).