L27/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 30.1.2001 COUNCIL DECISION of 22 January 2001 setting up the Military Committee of the European Union (2001/79/CFSP) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, in particular Article 28(1) thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, in particular Article 207 thereof, Recalling Article 25 of the Treaty on European Union, Whereas: (1)  In the framework of the strengthening of the common foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and in particular of the common European policy on security and defence provided for in Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union, the European Council meeting in Nice on 7 to 11 December 2000 reached agreement on the establish- ment of the Military Committee of the European Union, setting out its mission and functions including those of its chairman. (2)  Following the guidelines of the European Council this Committee should be made ready to start its work, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 A Military Committee of the European Union (EUMC) (herein- after the Committee) composed of the Member States' Chiefs of Defence, represented by their military representatives, is set up. It will meet at the level of Chiefs of Defence as and when necessary. Atticle 2 The mission and functions of the Committee are defined in Annex IV to the Presidency's report approved by the Nice European Council, which is reproduced in the Annex to this Decision. Article 3 1. The Chairman of the Committee (hereinafter the Chairman) shall be appointed by the Council on the recom- mendation of the Committee meeting at the level of the Chiefs of Defence. 2. The term of office of the Chairman is three years, unless the Council decides otherwise. His mission and functions are also defined in the above mentioned annex. Atrticle 4 This Decision shall take effect from the date of its adoption. Atticle 5 1. Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 3(1), this Decision shall apply from the date on which the first Chairman is appointed, not later than the date of application of the Decision on the establishment of the Military Staff of the European Union (") and in principle before the end of June 2001. 2. The Interim Military Body set up by Decision 2000/144/ CFSP (?) will continue to carry out its tasks until the date at which this Decision applies. Atticle 6 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal. Done at Brussels, 22 January 2001. For the Council The President A. LINDH (1) Council Decision 2001/80/CFSP (see page 7 of this Official Journal). (3 Council Decision 2000/144/CFSP of 14 February 2000 setting up the Interim Military Body (O] L 49, 22.2.2000, p. 2).