Brussels, 28/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - the Environment Council adopted on Monday without debate five common actions extending the mandates for the special European Union representatives for a further eight months: - southern Caucasus the Fin Heikki Talvitie; - Middle East, the Belgian Marc Otte; - Great Lakes region, the Italian Aldo Ajello; - Afghanistan, the Spaniard Francesco Vendrell; - Macedonia, the Dane Soeren Jessen-Petersen. Common actions will enter into force from 1 July. With the exception for the mandate for Mr Jessen-Petersen, the mandates for the special representatives will be extended till 25 February 2005 to coincide with the European Commission's budgetary procedures. The mandate for Mr Jessen-Petersen will just be extended for a month until 31 July 2004, the latter has just been appointed special representative for the UN in Kosovo, replacing Harri Holkeri from Finland (EUROPE du 18 June).