BSEC-EU Cooperation

Annex V to BS/SOM/R(2016)4

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE AD HOC WORKING GROUP OF EXPERTS ON BSEC-EU INTERACTION

Mandate

The Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on BSEC-EU Interaction shall be entrusted with the task of preparing the conceptual design for the BSEC activities in this field, for their monitoring, support and coordination and for drafting documents for followup action on BSEC-EU relations, in accordance with the decisions of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the BSEC Member States.

Composition

The Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on BSEC-EU Interaction shall consist of experts designated by the BSEC Member States, BSEC Related Bodies and BSEC PERMIS.

With due consideration to Articles 8 and 9 of the BSEC Charter and Article 5 para. 6 of the Rules of Procedure, and in accordance with the relevant Resolutions of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the BSEC Member States, representatives of the European Union, designated by official notification to the BSEC PERMIS, are to be invited to take part in the activities of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts.

Representatives of other EU Institutions, of the BSEC Observers and Sectoral Dialogue Partners, as well as independent experts may be invited to meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts, subject to the consent of the Member States.

Modalities of work

The Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on BSEC-EU Interaction shall be coordinated by the ICBSS and shall monitor the implementation of the resolutions, decisions and recommendations of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the BSEC Member States, which are pertinent to its mandate and report to the Committee of Senior Officials accordingly.

The Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on BSEC-EU Interaction shall carry out specific assignments as instructed by the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the BSEC Member States or the Committee of Senior Officials for the preparation of draft policy papers, strategy outlines and collections of relevant documents related to BSEC-EU interaction.

The Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on BSEC-EU Interaction shall also monitor and evaluate the developments in BSEC-EU cooperation and will ensure the effective and result-oriented prioritization, coordination and follow-up of on-going or projected activities

The participants in the meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts shall have expertise required by the items to be discussed and are expected to present their views on the development of BSEC-EU interaction, including priority areas of cooperation, appropriate institutional mechanisms and procedures, and concrete proposals for practical action.

The Coordinator, in consultation with the Chairman-in-Office and with the assistance of the BSEC PERMIS, will prepare for each session of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts draft working documents also based on the contributions by the interested Member States and a document file containing relevant BSEC and EU policy papers and instruments as background material for informed deliberations.

 
The Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on BSEC-EU Interaction may hold joint meetings with other Subsidiary Organs of the BSEC (sectoral Working Groups or Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts), as appropriate, to consider issues relevant to its mandate.

The meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts shall be convened at regular intervals, at dates and venues to be communicated by the ICBSS as Coordinator, following consultations with the BSEC Chairmanship-in-Office.

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