11.6.2010 Official Journal of the European Union L 145/13 COUNCIL DECISION 2010/322/CFSP of 8 June 2010 amending and extending Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP on the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo ('), EULEX KOSOVO THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28 and Article 43(2) thereof, Whereas: (1)  On 4 February 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP (). That Joint Action applies until 14 June 2010. 2 On 9 June 2009, the Council adopted Joint Action 2009/445/CFSP (), which amended Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP by increasing the financial reference amount to cover the Mission’s expenditure until the expiry of Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP. (3)  On 28 May 2010, the Political and Security Committee recommended  the extension of Joint  Action 2008/124/CFSP for a period of two years and the extension of the financial reference amount EUR 265 000 000 until 14 October 2010. (40 The command and control structure of EULEX KOSOVO should be without prejudice to the contractual responsi- bilities of the Head of Mission towards the European Commission for implementing the budget. (5 EULEX KOSOVO will be conducted in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could harm the objectives of the common foreign and security policy as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty. (6)  Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP should be amended accordingly, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP is hereby amended as follows: 1. Article 7(2) is replaced by the following: 2. The Civilian Operation Commander, under the political control and strategic direction of the Political Under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999). () OJ L 42, 16.2.2008, p. 92. OJ L 148, 11.6.2009, p. 33. and Security Committee (PSC) and the overall authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR), shall exercise command and control of EULEX KOSOVO at the strategic level.; . Paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 in Article 9 are replaced by the following: ‘3. International civilian staff and local staff may also be recruited by EULEX KOSOVO, as required, on a contractual basis, if the functions required are not provided by personnel seconded by Member States. Exceptionally, in duly justified cases, where no qualified applications from Member States are available, nationals from participating third States may be recruited on a contractual basis, as appropriate. 4. All staff shall carry out their duties and act in the interest of the Mission. All staff shall respect the security principles and minimum standards established by Council Decision 2001/264/EC of 19 March 2001 adopting the Council’s security regulations (¥). (*) OJ L 101, 11.4.2001, p. 1.; . Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 in Article 11 are replaced by the following: 2. Under the responsibility of the Council and the HR, the PSC shall exercise political control and strategic direction of EULEX KOSOVO. 3. As also laid down in Article 7, the Civilian Operation Commander, under the political control and strategic direction of the PSC and the overall authority of the HR, shall be the commander of EULEX KOSOVO at strategic level and, as such, shall issue the Head of Mission with instructions and provide him with advice and technical support. 4. The Civilian Operation Commander shall report to the Council through the HR.; . Paragraphs 1 and 2 in Article 12 are replaced by the following: ‘1. The PSC shall exercise, under the responsibility of the Council and the HR, political control and strategic direction of EULEX KOSOVO.