Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/226 of 9 June 2023 on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on the establishment and functioning of the European Union Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell deployed in Nouakchott to support the G5 Sahel structures

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2024/226 19.1.2024 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2024/226 of 9 June 2023 on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on the establishment and functioning of the European Union Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell deployed in Nouakchott to support the G5 Sahel structures 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 13 May 2019, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/762(1)concerning the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali), which notably created a Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell (RACC) within EUCAP Sahel Mali to support the G5 Sahel structures and countries. The RACC includes a team located in Nouakchott, as well as the internal security and defence experts within the Union delegations to Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger. In addition, EUCAP Sahel Mali provides training, advice and other specific support by means of temporary deployments of teams from Mali to G5 Sahel countries, including Mauritania.

(2) On 22 May 2019, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/832(2), which notably provides that the European Union CSDP mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) may carry out activities as necessary in the G5 Sahel countries, including Mauritania, by temporarily deploying teams from Niger to contribute to the regionalisation of common security and defence policy (CSDP) action in the Sahel.

(3) The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, by means of a letter from its Minister for Foreign Affairs on 15 February 2019, granted the necessary privileges and immunities to the staff of the RACC, and to members of ad hoc training and advisory missions.

(4) The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, by means of a note verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, dated 11 May 2021, and by means of a letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, dated 12 May 2021, also granted the necessary privileges and immunities to the RACC.

(5) However, it appeared necessary to base the status in Mauritania of the RACC, its staff members and the members of ad hoc training and advisory missions on an Agreement between the Union and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, in accordance with Council Decision 2014/219/CFSP(3)and Council Decision 2012/392/CFSP(4).

(6) On 20 May 2021, the Council authorised the opening of negotiations with a view to concluding an Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on the status in Mauritania of the Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell, of other elements of the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali and of elements of the European Union CSDP Mission in Niger.

(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/762 of 13 May 2019 amending Decision 2014/219/CFSP on the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (OJ L 125, 14.5.2019, p. 18).

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/832 of 22 May 2019 amending Decision 2012/392/CFSP on the European Union CSDP mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) (OJ L 137, 23.5.2019, p. 64).

(3) 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).

(4) Council Decision 2012/392/CFSP of 16 July 2012 on the European Union CSDP mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) (OJ L 187,

17.7.2012, p. 48).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/226/oj 1/2EN OJ L, 19.1.2024

(7) The new Agreement on the establishment and functioning of the European Union Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell deployed in Nouakchott to support the G5 Sahel structures, which also covers its staff members and the members of EUCAP Sahel Mali or EUCAP Sahel Niger carrying out ad hoc training and advisory missions, should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 The Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on the establishment and functioning of the European Union Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell deployed in Nouakchott to support the G5 Sahel structures (‘the Agreement’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union(5).

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 The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 26, paragraph 2, of the Agreement(6).

Article 4 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 9 June 2023.

For the Council The President M. MALMER STENERGARD

(5) The text of the Agreement is published in OJ L, 2024/227, 12.1.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree/2024/227/oj.

(6) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.

2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/226/oj