L 193/22 Official Journal of the European Union 16.7.2013 COUNCIL DECISION 2013/382/CFSP of 15 July 2013 amending and extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in particular Article 28, Article 31(2) and Article 33 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) On 22 March 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/168/CFSP (') appointing Mr Vygaudas USACKAS as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Afghanistan. The EUSR’s mandate is to expire on 30 June 2013. (2)  The mandate of the EUSR should be extended for a further period of 12 months. (3)  The EUSR will implement the mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 European Union Special Representative The mandate of Mr Vygaudas USACKAS as the EUSR in Afgha- nistan is hereby extended until 30 June 2014. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, upon a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR). Atticle 2 Policy objectives The EUSR shall represent the Union and promote Union policy objectives in Afghanistan, in close coordination with Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan. More specifically, the EUSR shall: (a) contribute to the implementation of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration and lead the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it concerns Afghanistan, thereby working with Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan; (b) support the political dialogue between the Union and Afghanistan; (c) support the pivotal role played by the United Nations (UN) in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on contributing to better  coordinated international assistance, thereby () O] L 75, 23.3.2010, p. 22. promoting the implementation of the London, Kabul, Bonn, Istanbul, Chicago and Tokyo Conference Communiqués, as well as relevant UN Resolutions. Article 3 Mandate In order to fulfil the mandate, the EUSR shall, in close cooperation with Member States’ representatives in Afghanistan: (a) promote the views of the Union on the political process and developments in Afghanistan; (b) maintain close contact with, and support the development of, relevant Afghan institutions, in particular the Government and the Parliament as well as the local auth- orities. The EUSR shall also maintain contact with other Afghan political groups and other relevant actors in Afgha- nistan; (c) maintain close contact with relevant international and regional stakeholders in Afghanistan, notably the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN and the Senior Civilian Representative of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and other key partners and organisations; (d) advise on the progress achieved in meeting the objectives of the EU-Afghanistan Joint Declaration, of the EU Action Plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan, in so far as it concerns Afgha- nistan, and of the Kabul, Bonn, Istanbul, Chicago and Tokyo Conferences, in particular in the following areas: — civilian capacity building, notably at sub-national level, — good governance and the establishment of institutions necessary for the existence of the rule of law, in particular an independent judiciary, — electoral reforms, — security sector reforms, including the strengthening of judicial institutions, the national army and the police force, and in particular, the development of the civilian police service, — promotion of growth, namely through agriculture and rural development, — respect for Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations, including respect for the rights of persons belonging to minorities and the rights of women and children, — respect of democratic principles and the rule of law,