# L_2023016EN.01003401.xml

| 18.1.2023 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 16/34 |
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18.1.2023

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 16/34

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COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/123

of 17 January 2023

amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 in support of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in the framework of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

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 21 January 2019, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 (1), which provided for a 36-month project-implementation period commencing on the date of the conclusion of the agreement referred to in Article 3(3) of that Decision. |
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(1)

On 21 January 2019, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 (1), which provided for a 36-month project-implementation period commencing on the date of the conclusion of the agreement referred to in Article 3(3) of that Decision.

| (2) | The implementation period was to end on 4 February 2022. |
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(2)

The implementation period was to end on 4 February 2022.

| (3) | On 8 July 2021, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), which is responsible for the technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2019/97, requested a 12-month no-cost extension of the implementation period. On 19 November 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/2033 (2), extending the implementation period until 4 February 2023. |
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(3)

On 8 July 2021, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), which is responsible for the technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2019/97, requested a 12-month no-cost extension of the implementation period. On 19 November 2021, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2021/2033 (2), extending the implementation period until 4 February 2023.

| (4) | On 29 October 2022, UNODA requested by letter a further 12-month no-cost extension of the implementation period due to implementation challenges linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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(4)

On 29 October 2022, UNODA requested by letter a further 12-month no-cost extension of the implementation period due to implementation challenges linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

| (5) | The extension of the implementation period of the projects referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 until 4 February 2024 does not have any implication as regards financial resources. |
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(5)

The extension of the implementation period of the projects referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 until 4 February 2024 does not have any implication as regards financial resources.

| (6) | Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 should therefore be amended accordingly, |
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(6)

Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Article 5(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 is replaced by the following:

‘2.   This Decision shall expire on 4 February 2024.’

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 17 January 2023.

For the Council

The President

E. SVANTESSON

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(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 of 21 January 2019 in support of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in the framework of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (OJ L 19, 22.1.2019, p. 11).

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(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/2033 of 19 November 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/97 in support of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in the framework of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (OJ L 415, 22.11.2021, p. 29).

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