26.6.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 165/59 COUNCIL DECISION 2012/328/CFSP of 25 June 2012 appointing the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia 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 5 October 2006, the Council adopted Decision 2006/670/CESP (') appointing Mr Pierre MOREL as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for Central Asia. The EUSR’s mandate is to expire on 30 June 2012. (2) A EUSR for Central Asia should be appointed for the period from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013. (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 Mrs Patricia FLOR is hereby appointed as the EUSR for Central Asia for the period from 1 July 2012 to 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 EUSR’s mandate shall be based on the Union’s policy objectives in Central Asia. These objectives include: (a) promoting good and close relations between the Union and the countries of Central Asia on the basis of common values and interests as set out in relevant agreements; (b) contributing to strengthening the stability and cooperation between the countries in the region; (c) contributing to strengthening democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights and funda- mental freedoms in Central Asia; (d) addressing key threats, especially specific problems with direct implications for Europe; (e) enhancing the Union’s effectiveness and visibility in the region, including through a closer coordination with other () O] L 275, 6.10.2006, p. 65. relevant partners and international organisations, such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations. Article 3 Mandate In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate of EUSR shall be to: promote overall Union political coordination in Central Asia and help to ensure consistency of the external actions of the Union in the region; monitor, on behalf of the HR, together with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission, the implementation process of the EU Strategy for a New Part- nership with Central Asia, complemented by subsequent progress reports on the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, make recommendations and report to relevant Council bodies on a regular basis; assist the Council in further developing a comprehensive policy towards Central Asia; follow closely political developments in Central Asia by developing and maintaining close contacts with govern- ments, parliaments, the judiciary, civil society and mass media; encourage Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to cooperate on regional issues of common interest; develop appropriate contacts and cooperation with the main interested actors in the region, and all relevant regional and international ~ organisations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Community (EURASEC), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC) and the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC); contribute to the implementation of the Union's human rights policy and EU Guidelines on Human Rights, in particular with regard to women and children in conflict- affected areas, especially by monitoring and addressing developments in this regard; contribute, in close cooperation with the OSCE, to conflict prevention and resolution by developing contacts with the authorities and other local actors such as non-governmental organisations, political parties, minorities, religious groups and their leaders;