COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2020/1465

of 12 October 2020

on a European Union action in support of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism in Yemen

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

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

Whereas:

(1) On 18 September 2018, based on a request by the United Nations (UN) Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/1249 (1) on a European Union action in support of UNVIM. The technical implementation of Decision (CFSP) 2018/1249 was entrusted to the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and was intended to enable UNVIM to continue fulfilling its tasks relating to monitoring and inspection in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2216 (2015).

(2) On 13 December 2018, the parties to the conflict in Yemen signed the Stockholm Agreement, the provisions of which were endorsed by UNSCRs 2451 (2018) and 2452 (2019). UNVIM was given a leading role in supporting the Yemen Sea Ports Corporation in the management of, and in relation to inspections at, the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa.

(3) On 18 February 2019, the Council adopted conclusions in which it welcomed the adoption of the Stockholm Agreement as well as the unanimous adoption of UNSCRs 2451 (2018) and 2452 (2019). The Council reiterated its call on all parties to facilitate the delivery of commercial supplies, including fuel, and recalled that the functioning of the Hodeidah port alongside Saleef and Ras Issa ports is of paramount importance for the survival of millions of Yemenis. The Council reiterated its support to UNVIM with a view to ensuring that commercial goods continue to flow into Yemen in full respect of all relevant UNSCRs.

(4) Based on a request by UNVIM, on 4 October 2019 the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/1672 (2) and renewed the Union’s support to UNVIM.

(5) UNSCRs 2505 (2020) and 2534 (2020) extended the mandate of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) in order to support the implementation of the agreement on the City of Hodeidah and the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa as set out in the Stockholm Agreement.

(6) On 15 July 2020, UNVIM requested further support from the Union.

(7) The Union should renew its support to UNVIM for the implementation of its mandate,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 1. The Union shall renew its support to UNVIM to implement its mandate as set out in relevant UNSCRs, in particular UNSCRs 2216 (2015) and 2451 (2018). That support shall have the overall objectives of contributing to the restoration of the unimpeded free flow of commercial items to Yemen through the provision of a transparent and effective clearance process for commercial shipments destined for Yemeni ports which are not under the control of the Government of Yemen, and of enhancing UNVIM’s role in implementing the provisions of the Stockholm Agreement. 2. The specific objectives of this project are: — to increase the flow of commercial cargo to Yemen by accelerating further the clearance process for commercial shipments and promoting the confidence of shipping companies as regards the accessibility of the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa to commercial shipping, — to enhance UNVIM’s ability to deploy in the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa as set out in the Stockholm Agreement and the relevant UNSCRs. 3. The Union shall support through this Decision the Office of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen and UNMHA with regard to the deployment of UNVIM in the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa. For that purpose, the Union shall contribute to costs associated with the reinforcement of UNVIM, and thereby help to respond to the needs of the Yemeni population as part of a broader humanitarian strategy. A description of the project is set out in the Annex.

Article 2 1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision. 2. The technical implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1 shall be entrusted to UNOPS. It shall perform that task under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNOPS.

Article 3 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 2 059 838. 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 Union budget. 3. The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure financed by the amount set out in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a contribution agreement with UNOPS. That contribution agreement shall stipulate that UNOPS is to ensure visibility of the Union’s contribution. 4. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the contribution agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the adoption of this Decision. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of that contribution agreement.

Article 4 1. The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by UNVIM, including reports on the monthly meetings of the UNVIM Steering Committee. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation by the Council. 2. The Commission shall provide the Council with information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1.

Article 5 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. This Decision shall apply from 1 October 2020. This Decision shall expire 12 months after the date of conclusion of the contribution agreement between the Commission and UNOPS referred to in Article 3(3).

Done at Luxembourg, 12 October 2020. For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES

(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1249 of 18 September 2018 on a European Union action in support of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism in Yemen (OJ L 235, 19.9.2018, p. 14).

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1672 of 4 October 2019 on a European Union action in support of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism in Yemen (OJ L 256, 7.10.2019, p. 10).