02017D2370 — EN — 20.07.2020 — 001.001

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COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/2370

of 18 December 2017

in support of the Hague Code of Conduct and ballistic missile non-proliferation in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction







Article 1

1. In accordance with the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (‘the Strategy’), which sets the objective of upholding, implementing and strengthening the multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, the Union shall further support the universalisation, full implementation and enhancement of the Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation (the ‘Code’).

2. The activities in support of the Code, corresponding to measures in line with the Strategy, shall consist of regional and sub-regional workshops, conferences, expert visits, research, information and communication as well as side events in the margins of international conferences.

3. The aim of the activities shall be:

(a) promoting the subscription to the Code by an ever larger number of States and ultimately its universality;

(b) supporting the full implementation of the Code;

(c) promoting dialogue among subscribing and non-subscribing States with the aim of helping to build confidence and transparency, encouraging restraint and creating more stability and security for all;

(d) reinforcing the Code's visibility and raising public awareness about the risks and threats posed by ballistic missile proliferation;

(e) exploring, in particular through academic studies, possibilities of enhancing the Code and of promoting cooperation between the Code and other relevant multilateral instruments, such as the Missile Technology Control Regime, UNSCR 1540 (2004) and the United Nations Register of Objects Launched in Outer Space.

4. A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex.

Article 2

1. The High Representative (HR) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.

2. The technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS). The FRS shall perform this task under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the FRS.

Article 3

1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 1 878 120,05 .

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 2. For that purpose, it shall conclude a grant agreement with the FRS for the reference amount upon adoption of this Decision. The rules on grants provided for in Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 ) shall apply to this grant agreement. The agreement shall stipulate that the FRS is to ensure visibility of the Union's contribution, appropriate to its size.

4. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the grant 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 grant agreement.

Article 4

1. The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by the FRS. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council.

2. 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 date of its adoption.

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2. This Decision shall expire on 20 December 2021.

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ANNEX

1. OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this Decision is to promote through specific measures the universality, the full implementation and the enhancement of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (the ‘Code’), in line with the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

This Decision will complement the Union's diplomatic engagement with subscribing States and non-subscribing States to the Code. In this regard, relevant Union messages are:

(a) for subscribing States: (i) importance of full implementation of the Code, notably through the annual declarations and pre-launch notifications provided for in the Code; (ii) encouragement to fully use the Code as a means to promote transparency and confidence, both regionally and internationally, and to help curbing and preventing the proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMD);

(b) for non-subscribing States: (i) encouragement to subscribe to the Code and thereby contribute to the wider multilateral efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery; (ii) taking advantage of the Code's provisions to help reduce regional tensions and to build confidence, thereby promoting more security for all.

In addition, this Decision shall be used to help financing a limited number of research papers on synergies between the Code and other relevant multilateral instruments, such as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), UNSCR 1540 (2004) and the United Nations Register for Objects Launched in Outer Space.

Finally, this Decision aims at supporting the ongoing policy dialogue of the international community on security and sustainability in outer space, notably through providing a limited financial contribution for the annual space conferences, organised by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) in Geneva.

2. MEASURES

2.1. Objectives of the measures

(a) promoting the subscription to the Code by an ever larger number of States and ultimately its universality;

(b) supporting the full implementation of the Code by subscribing States;

(c) promoting dialogue among subscribing and non-subscribing States with the aim of helping to build confidence and transparency, encouraging restraint and creating more stability and security for all;

(d) reinforcing the Code's visibility and raising public awareness about the risks and threats posed by ballistic missile proliferation;

(e) exploring, in particular through academic studies, possibilities of enhancing the Code and of promoting cooperation between the Code and other relevant multilateral instruments, such as the MTCR and UNSCR 1540 (2004).

2.2. Description of the measures

(a) FRS will organise outreach activities in the form of regional and/or sub-regional seminars and expert missions designed to: (i) increase awareness about the risks and challenges of ballistic missile proliferation; (ii) provide a platform for relevant experts to exchange informally (‘Chatham House rules’) on strategic issues and thereby help building confidence among States; and (iii) promote the Union objectives of universality, full implementation and enhancement of the Code. FRS will organise up to nine regional and/or sub-regional events, including in Latin America and the Caribbean, in the Middle East/Africa and in South-East Asia, as well as up to six country-specific expert missions to non-subscribing States. All such events shall be carried out in close collaboration with the authorities of the respective host governments and, as appropriate, other relevant academia;

(b) FRS will organise up to six side-events dedicated to the Code, in the margins of international conferences, notably the Code Annual Regular Meeting in Vienna and the session of the UN General Assembly's First Committee in New York. Such side-events will be designed to help deepen the relationship between the Code and the UN, in conformity with Resolution 71/33, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 5 December 2016;

(c) FRS will organise, in close collaboration with the relevant authorities, a visit by an international group of experts to a space launching site, in accordance with the third indent of subpoint ii) of point (a) of Article 4 of the Code;

(d) FRS will transfer, from the grant allocated by the Union, three times the amount of EUR 29 240,00 to UNIDIR in order to help finance the UNIDIR annual conferences on space security issues and thereby to assist the overarching goal of support to the Code. FRS and UNIDIR will ensure Union visibility at these conferences, appropriate to the size of the Union's contribution;

(e) FRS will commission and publish at least four research papers on issues related to the Code, including one or more research papers on the relationship between the Code and other relevant multilateral instruments, such as the MTCR and the UNSCR 1540 (2004). To that end, FRS will solicit contributions from all research institutes that are part of or associated with the EU NPD Consortium. The topics of the research papers will be agreed between the FRS and the relevant services of the European External Action Service (EEAS);

(f) FRS will undertake communication and information activities with the double objective of enhancing the visibility of the Code and the Union's contribution to it. FRS will elaborate a detailed communication and information plan, for approval by the EEAS and the Commission.

2.3. Results of the measures

(a) an increase in the number of subscribing States to the Code;

(b) improved implementation of the Code by subscribing States;

(c) enhanced awareness among policy makers, regulators, experts and the public at large of the importance for States to subscribe to and to implement the Code;

(d) enhanced visibility for the Union's efforts in promoting the universality, full implementation and enhancement of the Code.

3. PARTNERS FOR THE MEASURES

FRS, acting in close liaison with the EEAS, will continue developing effective partnerships with interested regional and sub-regional organisations, State authorities, research institutes and other relevant bodies.

FRS will cooperate closely with UNIDIR regarding the measure set out in point 2.2. (e).

4. INTERACTION WITH UNION EFFORTS

Based on the regular feedback from FRS on its activities, the Union may decide to complement those efforts through targeted diplomatic action aimed at raising awareness of the importance for States to subscribe to and to implement the Code.

5. BENEFICIARIES OF THE MEASURES

(a) states, both subscribing and non-subscribing States to the Code;

(b) government officials, policymakers, regulators, experts;

(c) international, regional and sub-regional organisations;

(d) academia and civil society;

(e) the Code Chair.

6. VENUE

FRS will select, in consultation with the relevant services of the EEAS, potential venues for the meetings, workshops and other events. The criteria used for choosing the venues will include the willingness and commitment of a relevant State or intergovernmental organisation in a particular region to host the event. Specific locations of country visits or country-specific activities will depend on invitations from interested States or intergovernmental organisations.

7. DURATION

The total estimated duration of the action is 36 months.