COUNCIL DECISION 2009/569/CFSP
of 27 July 2009
on support for OPCW activities in the framework of the implementation 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 Article 13(3) and Article 23(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (hereinafter referred to as the EU Strategy), Chapter III of which contains a list of measures to combat such proliferation.
(2)
The EU Strategy underlines the crucial role of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in creating a world free of chemical weapons. As part of the EU Strategy, the EU has committed itself to working towards universal adherence to key disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, including the CWC. The objectives of the EU Strategy are complementary to the objectives pursued by the OPCW, in the context of its responsibility for the implementation of the CWC.
(3)
On 22 November 2004, the Council adopted Joint Action 2004/797/CFSP on support for OPCW activities in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (1), followed on its expiry by Joint Action 2005/913/CFSP of 12 December 2005 (2) and Joint Action 2007/185/CFSP of 19 March 2007 (3). The latter will expire on 31 July 2009.
(4)
The continuation of such intensive and targeted assistance from the EU to the OPCW is necessary in the context of the active implementation of Chapter III of the EU Strategy. Measures related to the universalisation of the CWC should continue and be adapted and targeted to the declining number of States not Parties to the CWC. These activities should be complemented by new ones to support specific projects conducted by the OPCW aimed at the full implementation of the CWC and to enhance international cooperation in the field of chemical activities,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
1. For the purpose of giving immediate and practical application to some elements of the EU Strategy, the European Union shall support activities of the OPCW, with the following objectives:
-
to enhance the capacities of States Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Convention, and
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to promote universality by encouraging States not Party to join the Convention.
2. In this context, the projects of the OPCW, corresponding to measures of the EU Strategy, shall be the following:
Project I: National Implementation, Verification and Universality
Activities:
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bilateral technical assistance visits
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training of customs officials on the technical aspects of the Convention’s transfers’ regime
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training of national escorts
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training of national authorities for the use of an electronic declaration tool
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challenge inspection field exercise
Project II: International Cooperation
Activities:
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analytical skills development course
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CWC and chemical process safety workshop
Project III: Seminar - OPCW’s Contribution to International Security Dimension and Challenges
Project IV: visits by representatives of the Executive Council to chemical weapons destruction facilities
Project V: second session of the Scientific Advisory Board
Project VI: seminar - OPCW’s contribution in the sphere of security and non-proliferation
Project VII: preparedness of States Parties to prevent and respond to attacks involving chemicals
Activities:
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table top exercise
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regional workshop on Article X of the Convention
Project VIII: Africa programme
Activities:
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bilateral technical assistance visits
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outreach activity - academic and training Institution - Kofi Annan Centre
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training of customs officials on the technical aspects of the Convention’s transfers’ regime
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outreach to States not Parties
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analytical skills development course
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outreach to industry - CWC and chemical process safety workshop
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regional workshop - Article X and issues of regional cooperation in the area of assistance and emergency response
A detailed description of the projects is set out in Annex to this Decision.
Article 2
1. The Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative (SG/HR) for the CFSP, shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision. The Commission shall be fully associated.
2. Technical implementation of the project referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW (hereinafter referred to as the Technical Secretariat). It shall perform this task under the responsibility of the Presidency and under the control of the SG/HR. For this purpose, the SG/HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Technical Secretariat.
3. The Presidency, the SG/HR and the Commission shall coordinate regularly on the project, in accordance with their respective competences.
Article 3
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 2 110 000.
2. The expenditure financed by the amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.
3. The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the Technical Secretariat. The agreement shall stipulate that the Technical Secretariat is to ensure visibility of the EU contribution, appropriate to its size.
4. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Decision. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of the agreement. The Commission shall publish in the Official Journal of the European Union, C series, notice of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement.
Article 4
The Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR, shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by the Technical Secretariat. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall be fully associated. It shall report on the financial aspects of the projects referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 5
1. This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
2. This Decision shall expire 18 months after the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire 6 months after its entry into force if that financing agreement has not been concluded by that time.
Article 6
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 27 July 2009.