# L_2023081EN.01002701.xml

| 21.3.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 81/27 |
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21.3.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 81/27

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COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/653

of 20 March 2023

amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 on the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 42(4) and 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

| (1) | On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 (1), which established a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI). |
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(1)

On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 (1), which established a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).

| (2) | On 26 March 2021, following a Strategic Review of the operation, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/542 (2), which inter alia extended EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2023. |
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(2)

On 26 March 2021, following a Strategic Review of the operation, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/542 (2), which inter alia extended EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2023.

| (3) | In the context of the Strategic Review of the operation, the Political and Security Committee agreed that EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be extended until 31 March 2025. |
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(3)

In the context of the Strategic Review of the operation, the Political and Security Committee agreed that EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be extended until 31 March 2025.

| (4) | The disposal of arms and related materiel seized by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be further facilitated. |
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(4)

The disposal of arms and related materiel seized by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be further facilitated.

| (5) | Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 should be amended accordingly, |
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(5)

Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 is amended as follows:

| (1) | in Article 2, paragraph 5, the third subparagraph is replaced by the following:

  ‘A Member State assisting EUNAVFOR MED IRINI in the disposal of seized arms and related materiel shall undertake, upon communication by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI of a certificate of seizure, to complete as swiftly as possible the procedures required to allow for the disposal of the seized items, within the framework of the applicable law and procedures. EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall provide that Member State with a disposal certificate.’; |
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(1)

in Article 2, paragraph 5, the third subparagraph is replaced by the following:

‘A Member State assisting EUNAVFOR MED IRINI in the disposal of seized arms and related materiel shall undertake, upon communication by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI of a certificate of seizure, to complete as swiftly as possible the procedures required to allow for the disposal of the seized items, within the framework of the applicable law and procedures. EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall provide that Member State with a disposal certificate.’;

| (2) | in Article 13, the following paragraph is added:

  ‘4.   For the period from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2025, the reference amount for the common costs of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall be EUR 16 921 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 51(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 shall be 10 % for commitments and 5 % for payments.’
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(2)

in Article 13, the following paragraph is added:

‘4.   For the period from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2025, the reference amount for the common costs of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall be EUR 16 921 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 51(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 shall be 10 % for commitments and 5 % for payments.’

| (3) | in Article 15, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

  ‘2.   EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall end on 31 March 2025.’. |
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(3)

in Article 15, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2.   EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall end on 31 March 2025.’.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 20 March 2023.

For the Council

The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES

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(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 of 31 March 2020 on a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p.4).

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(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/542 of 26 March 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 on the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (OJ L 108, 29.3.2021, p. 57).

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