L 16562 Official Journal of the European Union 26.6.2012 COUNCIL DECISION 2012/329/CFSP of 25 June 2012 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative or the Horn of Africa 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 8 December 2011, the Council adopted Decision 2011/819/CESP (') appointing Mr Alexander RONDOS as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Horn of Africa. 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: Article 1 European Union Special Representative The mandate of Mr Alexander RONDOS as the EUSR for the Horn of Africa is hereby extended until 30 June 2013. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, on a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR). For the purposes of the mandate of the EUSR, the Horn of Africa is defined as comprising the Republic of Djibouti, the State of Eritrea, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Kenya, Somalia, the Republic of the Sudan, the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Uganda. For issues with broader regional implications, including piracy, the EUSR shall engage with countries and regional entities beyond the Horn of Africa, as appropriate. In view of the need for a regional approach to the inter-related challenges facing the region, the EUSR for the Horn of Africa () O] L 327, 9.12.2011, p. 62. shall work in close consultation with the EUSR for Sudan and South Sudan who shall retain primary responsibility for those two countries. Article 2 Policy objectives 1. The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the policy objectives of the Union in relation to the Horn of Africa as set out in its strategic framework adopted on 14 November 2011 to contribute actively to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and development in the region. The EUSR shall furthermore aim to enhance the quality, intensity, impact and visibility of the Union’s multi-faceted engagement in the Horn of Africa. 2. Priority shall continue to be given to Somalia, to the regional dimensions of the conflict and to piracy which has its root causes in the instability of Somalia. 3. With regard to Somalia, the Union’s policy objectives aim, through the coordinated and effective use of all its instruments, to promote a return for Somalia and its people to a path of peace and prosperity. To that end, the Union supports the role of the United Nations (UN) in facilitating a credible and inclusive Somali-led political process and will continue to contribute actively, together with regional and international partners, to the implementation of the Djibouti Peace Agreement and its post-transition arrangements. 4. Regarding piracy, the EUSR’s role shall be to contribute to developing and implementing a coherent, effective and balanced Union approach to piracy originating in Somalia, encompassing all aspects of Union action, particularly in the political, security and development areas and to be the Union’s key interlocutor on piracy for the international community, including the Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean (ESA[IO) region. Article 3 Mandate 1. In order to achieve the Union’s policy objectives in relation to the Horn of Africa, the mandate of the EUSR shall be to: (a) engage with all relevant stakeholders of the region, govern- ments, existing regional authorities, international and regional organisations, civil society and diasporas, with a view to furthering the Union’s objectives and contribute to a better understanding of the role of the Union in the region; (b) represent the Union in relevant international fora, as appro- priate, and ensure visibility for Union support to crisis management and prevention;