Brussels, 10/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Preparations for the future EU mission in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), that is expected to take over from NATO-Allied Harmony Operation is being finalised on the following lines: on Monday the Policy and Security Committee is expected to approve (as we go to press) the operations plan (OPLAN), finalised last Friday by the military committee; the selection of the countries that will take part in the mission (candidate countries, European members of NATO but not members of the EU, Russia, the Ukraine and Canada) is continuing and if it runs its course, an initial meeting of contributors, in charge of the current management of the mission should take place on 12 March; on-ground command of the European force by French General Pierre Maral will be ready to send the first elements of the EU to Macedonia by 17-25 March, conclusion of an agreement with Macedonia for authorising the EU to take over from NATO will be on the right road; the EU and NATO continue with their information exchanges for finalising the "Berlin +" agreement allowing the EU to use NATO assets for ESDP operations. At a procedural level, once the OPLAN and budget for the mission are adopted, as well as the agreement with Macedonia concluded and the Berlin+ agreement finalised, it will once again be necessary for NATO reach a decision to end its mission. A formal Council decision for launching the EU mission will also be needed from the Council. This decision could be taken at a General Affairs and External Relations Council level meeting from 18-19 March.