# L_2023022EN.01002801.xml

| 24.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 22/28 |
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24.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 22/28

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COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/161

of 23 January 2023

amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 on Union support for activities of the ATT Secretariat in support of the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 31(1) thereof,

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

Whereas:

| (1) | On 16 April 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 (1). |
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(1)

On 16 April 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 (1).

| (2) | Article 5 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 stipulates that the Decision is to expire 24 months after the conclusion of the agreement referred to in Article 3(3), namely on 20 May 2023. |
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(2)

Article 5 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 stipulates that the Decision is to expire 24 months after the conclusion of the agreement referred to in Article 3(3), namely on 20 May 2023.

| (3) | On 23 September 2022, the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Secretariat, which is responsible for the technical implementation of the project activities referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649, requested by letter a five-month no-cost extension of the implementation period of that Decision. This extension would allow the ATT Secretariat to complete the project activities referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649, the implementation of which was impacted negatively by recruitment delays, as well as by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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(3)

On 23 September 2022, the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Secretariat, which is responsible for the technical implementation of the project activities referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649, requested by letter a five-month no-cost extension of the implementation period of that Decision. This extension would allow the ATT Secretariat to complete the project activities referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649, the implementation of which was impacted negatively by recruitment delays, as well as by the COVID-19 pandemic.

| (4) | The extension of the implementation period of the project activities referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 until 20 October 2023 does not have any implications as regards financial resources. |
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(4)

The extension of the implementation period of the project activities referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 until 20 October 2023 does not have any implications as regards financial resources.

| (5) | Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 should therefore be amended accordingly, |
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(5)

Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In Article 5 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/649, the second sentence is replaced by the following:

‘This Decision shall expire on 20 October 2023.’.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 23 January 2023.

For the Council

The President

J. BORRELL FONTELLES

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(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/649 of 16 April 2021 on Union support for activities of the ATT Secretariat in support of the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (OJ L 133, 20.4.2021, p. 59).

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