L 188/34 Official Journal of the European Union 19.7.2011 COUNCIL DECISION 2011/427|CFSP of 18 July 2011 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 European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Afghanistan. (2)  The mandate of the EUSR should be extended until 30 June 2012. (3)  The EUSR will implement his 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 European Union Special Representative (EUSR’) in Afghanistan is hereby extended until 30 June 2012. 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). Atrticle 2 Policy objectives The EUSR shall represent the European 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; () O] L 75, 23.3.2010, p. 22. (b) support Union-Afghanistan political dialogue; (c) support the pivotal role played by the United Nations (UN)) in Afghanistan with particular emphasis on contributing to better  coordinated international assistance, thereby promoting the implementation of the London and Kabul Conference Communiqués, as well as relevant UN Resolutions. Article 3 Mandate In order to fulfil the mandate, the EUSR shall, in close coop- eration 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 authorities. Contact should also be maintained with other Afghan political groups and other relevant actors in Afghanistan; (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 Afghanistan, and of the London, Kabul and forthcoming Bonn 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, — promotion of growth, namely through agriculture and rural development,