COUNCIL DECISION 2012/166/CFSP
of 23 March 2012
in support of activities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) 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 26(2),
Whereas:
(1)
On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (hereinafter 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 (hereinafter the ‘CWC’) and of the OPCW in creating a world free of chemical weapons. As part of the EU Strategy, the Union 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 the latter’s 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 (2), which in turn was followed by Joint Action 2007/185/CFSP (3). Joint Action 2007/185/CFSP was followed by Decision 2009/569/CFSP (4), which expired on 3 December 2011.
(4)
The continuation of such intensive and targeted assistance from the Union to the OPCW is necessary in the context of the active implementation of Chapter III of the EU Strategy. There is a need for further activities promoting the full implementation of the CWC as well as activities enhancing the preparedness of States Parties to the CWC (hereinafter ‘States Parties’) to prevent and respond to attacks involving toxic chemicals, international cooperation in the field of chemical activities, and the ability of the OPCW to adapt to developments in the field of science and technology. Measures related to the universalisation of the CWC should continue and be adapted to and targeted at the declining number of States not Parties to the CWC,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
1. For the purpose of giving immediate and practical application to some elements of the EU Strategy, the Union shall support activities of the OPCW, with the following objectives:
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to enhance the capacities of States Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the CWC,
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to enhance the preparedness of States Parties to prevent and respond to attacks involving toxic chemicals,
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to enhance international cooperation in the field of chemical activities,
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to support the ability of the OPCW to adapt to developments in the field of science and technology,
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to promote universality by encouraging States not Parties to join the CWC.
2. In this context, the Union-supported activities of the projects of the OPCW, which are in compliance with the 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 courses for customs officials on the technical aspects of the CWC’s transfers’ regime
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Grants to national authorities
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E-learning tool for national authorities/associated stakeholders
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Outreach to States not Party to the CWC
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Investigation of alleged use exercises
Project II: International Cooperation
Activities:
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Analytical skills development course
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Industry Outreach - CWC and Chemical Process Safety Workshop
Project III: Visits by representatives of the Executive Council of the OPCW and observers to chemical weapons destruction facilities (CWDFs)
Activity:
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Visits to CWDFs
Project IV: Science and Technology
Activities:
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Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) working group meetings
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Co-funding of an OPCW-International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) International Science and Technology Workshop
Project V: Preparedness of States Parties to prevent and respond to attacks involving chemicals
Activities:
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Regional Workshops - Article X of the CWC and issues of regional cooperation in the area of assistance and emergency response
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Table Top Exercises (TTEs) and exercise module
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OPCW as a platform for enhancing security at chemical plants
Project VI: Africa Programme
Activities:
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Bilateral technical assistance visits
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Training courses for customs officials on the technical aspects of the CWC’s transfers’ regime
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Industry Outreach - CWC and Chemical Process Safety Workshop
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Analytical skills development course
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Regional workshop - Article X of the CWC and issues of regional cooperation in the area of assistance and emergency response
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Regional long-term capacity building project in the assistance and protection field
A detailed description of the Union supported activities of the OPCW referred to above is set out in the Annex.
Article 2
1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.
2. Technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW (hereinafter the ‘Technical Secretariat’). It shall perform this task under the responsibility and the control of the HR. For this purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Technical Secretariat.
Article 3
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 2 140 000.
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 Union.
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 Union contribution, commensurate with its size.
4. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after 23 March 2012. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of the agreement.
Article 4
The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by the Technical Secretariat. The HR reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall provide information 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 24 months after the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after its entry into force if that financing agreement has not been concluded by that time.
Done at Brussels, 23 March 2012.