26.6.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 165/53 COUNCIL DECISION 2012/326/CFSP of 25 June 2012 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia 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 25 August 2011, the Council adopted Decision 2011/518/CESP (') appointing Mr Philippe LEFORT as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia. The EUSR’s mandate is to expire on 30 June 2012. (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: Atticle 1 European Union Special Representative The mandate of Mr Philippe LEFORT as the EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia is hereby extended until 30 June 2013. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, on a proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR). Article 2 Policy objectives The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the policy objectives of the Union for the South Caucasus, including the objectives set out in the conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting in Brussels on 1 September 2008 and the Council conclusions of 15 September 2008, as well as those of 27 February 2012. Those objectives include: (a) in accordance with the existing mechanisms, including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and its Minsk Group, to prevent conflicts in the region, to contribute to a peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, including the crisis in Georgia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, by promoting the return of refugees and internally displaced persons and through other appropriate means, and to support the implemen- tation of such a settlement in accordance with the principles of international law; (b) to engage constructively with the main interested actors regarding the region; () OJ L 221, 27.8.2011, p. 5. (¢c) to encourage and to support further cooperation between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and, as appropriate, their neighbouring countries; (d) to enhance the Union’s effectiveness and visibility in the region. Article 3 Mandate In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate of the EUSR shall be: (a) to develop contacts with governments, parliaments, other key political actors, the judiciary and civil society in the region; (b) to encourage the countries in the region to cooperate on regional themes of common interest, such as common security threats, the fight against terrorism, illicit trafficking and organised crime; (o) to contribute to the peaceful settlement of conflicts in accordance with the principles of international law and to facilitate the implementation of such settlement in close coordination with the United Nations, the OSCE and its Minsk Group; (d) with respect to the crisis in Georgia: (i) to help prepare for the international talks held under point 6 of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008 (‘Geneva International Discussions’) and its imple- menting measures of 8 September 2008, including on arrangements for security and stability in the region, the issue of refugees and internally displaced persons, on the basis of internationally recognised principles, and any other subject, by mutual agreement between the parties; (i) to help establish the Union’s position and represent it, at the level of the EUSR, in the talks referred to in point (i); and (ili) to facilitate the implementation of the settlement plan of 12 August 2008 and its implementing measures of 8 September 2008; () to facilitate the development and implementation of confidence-building measures; (f) to assist in the preparation, as appropriate, of Union contributions to the implementation of a possible conflict settlement; (9) to intensify the Union’s dialogue with the main actors concerned regarding the region; (h) to assist the Union in further developing a comprehensive policy towards the South Caucasus;