L 211/20 Official Journal of the European Union 12.8.2010 COUNCIL DECISION 2010/440/CFSP of 11 August 2010 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the African Great Lakes Region THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in particular, Articles 28, 31(2) and 33 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) On 15 February 2007, the Council adopted Joint Action 2007/112/CESP (') appointing Mr Roeland VAN DE GEER European Union Special Representative (hereinafter the EUSR) for the African Great Lakes Region. (2)  On 22 February 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/113/CESP (%) extending the mandate of the EUSR until 31 August 2010. (3)  The mandate of the EUSR should be extended until 31 August 2011. However, 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 (hereinafter the HR) following the entry into force of the Decision estab- lishing the European External Action Service. (4)  The EUSR will implement his mandate 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, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 European Union Special Representative The mandate of Mr Roeland VAN DE GEER as the EUSR for the African Great Lakes Region is hereby extended until 31 August 2011. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, on a proposal of the HR following the entry into force of the Decision establishing the European External Action Service. Article 2 Policy objectives The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the policy objectives of the European Union (hereinafter ‘the EU’ or ‘the () O] L 46, 16.2.2007, p. 79. () O] L 46, 23.2.2010, p. 30. Union’) regarding the further stabilisation and consolidation of the post-conflict situation in the African Great Lakes Region, paying particular attention to the regional dimension of the developments in the countries concerned. These objectives, which promote, in particular, compliance with the basic norms of democracy and good governance, including respect for human rights and the rule of law, include: (a) contributing actively and effectively to a consistent, sustainable and responsible policy of the Union in the African Great Lakes Region, and promoting a coherent overall Union approach in the region. The EUSR shall support the work of the HR in the region; (b) ensuring the continued commitment of the Union to the stabilisation and reconstruction processes in the region, through an active presence on the ground and in relevant international forums, staying in touch with key players and contributing to crisis management; (c) contributing to the post-transition phase in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in particular as regards the political process of consolidating the new institutions and defining a broader international framework for political consultation and coordination with the new government; (d) contributing, in close cooperation with the United Nations/ MONUC, to the international support efforts to pursue a comprehensive Security Sector Reform in the DRC, in particular in view of the coordinating role the Union is ready to assume in this context; (e) contributing to appropriate follow-up measures to the Inter- national Conference of the Great Lakes Region, in particular by establishing close contacts with the Great Lakes Secre- tariat and its Executive Secretary as well as with the Troika of the follow-up mechanism and by promoting good neighbourly relations in the region; (f) addressing the still considerable problem of armed groups operating across the borders, which risks destabilising the countries in the region and aggravating their internal problems; (g) contributing to the post-conflict stabilisation in Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, in particular through accompanying peace negotiations with armed groups such as the FNL and LRA.