EN Official Journal of the European Union L 71/3

COUNCIL DECISION 2014/129/CFSP

of 10 March 2014

promoting the European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks in support 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 Articles 26(2) and 31(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 WMD Non-proliferation Strategy’), Chapter III of which contains a list of measures that need to be taken both within the Union and in third countries to combat such proliferation.

(2) The Union is actively implementing the EU WMD Non-proliferation Strategy and giving effect to the measures listed in Chapter III thereof, such as developing the necessary structures within the Union.

(3) On 8 December 2008, the Council adopted its conclusions and a document entitled ‘New lines for action by the European Union in combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems’ (hereinafter referred to as the ‘New Lines for Action’) which states that proliferation of WMD continues to constitute one of the greatest security challenges and that non-proliferation policy constitutes an essential part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

(4) In the New Lines for Action, the Council calls on competent Council formations and bodies, the Commission, other institutions, and Member States to give a concrete follow-up to that document.

(5) In the New Lines for Action, the Council underlines that action of the Union to prevent proliferation could benefit from the support provided by a non-governmental non-proliferation network, bringing together foreign policy institutions and research centres specialising in the Union's strategic areas while building on useful networks which already exist. Such a network could be extended to institutions in third countries with which the Union is conducting specific dialogues in connection with non-proliferation.

(6) On 15 and 16 December 2005, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition (hereinafter referred to as the ‘EU SALW Strategy’) which sets the guidelines for the action of the Union in the field of SALW. The EU SALW Strategy considers that the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition pose a serious threat to international peace and security.

(7) The EU SALW Strategy identifies among its objectives the need to foster effective multilateralism so as to forge mechanisms, whether international, regional or within the Union and its Member States, for countering the supply and destabilising spread of SALW and their ammunition.

(8) On 26 July 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/430/CFSP (1) which established the European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks and provided that the technical implementation of that Decision is to be carried out by the EU Non-Proliferation Consortium (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Consortium’).

(9) The choice of the Consortium as sole beneficiary of a grant in this case is justified because of the will of the Union, as supported by the Member States, to continue a fruitful cooperation with a network of European think-tanks that is contributing to the creation of a common European culture on non-proliferation and disarmament, as well as helping the Union to develop and shape its policies in these areas and increase Union visibility. The very nature of the Consortium, which owes its existence to the Union and depends entirely on Union support, makes 100 % financing necessary in this case. The Consortium has no independent financial resources or legal authority to raise other funds. Moreover, the Consortium has established, beyond the four managing think tanks, a network bringing together more than 60 think tanks and research centres combining almost the entire non-governmental expertise in the Union.

(10) To date, the Consortium has organized two Union expert seminars, in Brussels in May 2011 and June 2013, and two major international non-proliferation conferences, in Brussels in February 2012 and September/October 2013, in addition to having 31 dedicated policy papers published on its website. The website was launched in Spring 2011 and has been regularly updated since then, including via the publication of a bi-monthly e-newsletter: nonproliferation.eu. More than 60 European independent think tanks have joined the Consortium network since its inception.

(11) By Council Decisions 2010/799/CFSP (2) and 2012/422/CFSP (3), the Consortium was entrusted with the organization of two seminars to promote confidence building and in support of a process aimed at establishing a zone free of WMD and means of delivery in the Middle East, which were held in Brussels in July 2011 and November 2012. Furthermore, by Council Decision 2013/43/CFSP (4), the Consortium was entrusted with the organization of two closed seminars in order to facilitate the successful completion of the negotiation of an Arms Trade Treaty at the March 2013 UN Conference,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. For the purposes of contributing to the enhanced implementation of the EU WMD Non-proliferation Strategy, which is based on the principles of effective multilateralism, prevention and cooperation with third countries, the continued promotion and support of the European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks activities is hereby extended for 3 years to further the following objectives:

(a) to encourage political and security-related dialogue and long-term discussion of measures to combat the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems within civil societies, and more particularly among experts, researchers and academics;

(b) to provide those participating in the relevant preparatory bodies of the Council with the opportunity to consult the network on issues related to non-proliferation and to enable the representatives of Member States to participate in the network's meetings;

(c) to constitute a useful stepping stone for non-proliferation action by the Union and the international community, in particular by providing reports and/or recommendations to the representatives of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR);

(d) to contribute to enhancing third countries' awareness of proliferation challenges and of the need to work in cooperation with the Union and in the context of multilateral fora, in particular the United Nations, to prevent, deter, halt and where possible, eliminate proliferation programmes of worldwide concern;

(e) to contribute to the development of expertise and institutional capacity in non-proliferation and disarmament matters in think tanks and governments in the Union and third countries.

2. In the light of the EU SALW Strategy, the scope of activities of the European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks shall not be limited to addressing questions related to the threats posed by the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems, but shall also cover issues related to conventional weapons, including SALW. The inclusion of conventional weapons issues in the field of activity of the network will offer an outstanding tool for dialogue and recommendation on action of the Union in this area within the framework of the implementation of the EU SALW Strategy and the Union's policy on conventional weapons.

3. In this context, the projects to be supported by the Union shall cover the following specific activities:

(a) providing means for the organisation of three annual consultative meetings and up to seven ad-hoc seminars for experts and practitioners on the full range of non-proliferation and disarmament issues covering both unconventional and conventional arms, with a view to submitting reports and/or recommendations to the representatives of the HR;

(b) setting up a Help-Desk Facility within the Consortium, to provide ad-hoc expertise on questions related to the full range of non-proliferation and disarmament issues covering both unconventional and conventional arms, for responses within a two-week time frame;

(c) providing means for the holding of three major annual conferences with third countries and civil society on non-proliferation and disarmament to promote internationally the EU WMD Non-proliferation Strategy and the EU SALW Strategy, and the role, in this field, of Union institutions and think tanks in the Union, with a view to raising the visibility of Union policies in this area and submitting reports and/or recommendations to the representatives of the HR;

(d) providing means for the management and development of an Internet platform to facilitate contacts and foster research dialogue among the network of think tanks analysing issues related to the prevention of proliferation of WMD and conventional weapons, including SALW, as well as for the education of a new generation of experts on non-proliferation and disarmament;

(e) providing means to raise awareness and develop expertise and institutional capacity in the area of non-proliferation in think tanks and governments in the Union and third countries;

(f) addressing topics proposed by Member States and the European External Action Service (EEAS) in the overall Consortium research activities.

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

Article 2

1. The HR shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.

2. Technical implementation of the projects covering the activities referred to in Article 1(3) shall be carried out by the EU Non-Proliferation Consortium based on la Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (HSFK/ PRIF), the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The Consortium shall perform this task under the responsibility of the HR. For this purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Consortium.

3. Member States and the EEAS shall propose priorities and topics of specific interest for assessment in the Consortium research programmes, to be addressed in working documents and seminars, in accordance with the policies of the Union.

Article 3

1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects covering the activities referred to in Article 1(3) shall be EUR 3 600 000.

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 Consortium. The agreement shall stipulate that the Consortium is to ensure visibility of the Union's 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.

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 Consortium. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council.

2. The Commission shall report on the financial aspects of the projects referred to in Article 1(3).

Article 5

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

2. This Decision shall expire 36 months after the date of 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.

Done at Brussels, 10 March 2014. For the Council The President G. VROUTSIS

(1) Council Decision 2010/430/CFSP of 26 July 2010 establishing a European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks in support of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (OJ L 202, 4.8.2010, p. 5).

(2) Council Decision 2010/799/CFSP of 13 December 2010 in support of a process of confidence-building leading to the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery in the Middle East in support of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (OJ L 341, 23.12.2010, p. 27).

(3) Council Decision 2012/422/CFSP of 23 July 2012 in support of a process leading to the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East (OJ L 196, 24.7.2012, p. 67).

(4) Council Decision 2013/43/CFSP of 22 January 2013 on continued Union activities in support of the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations, in the framework of the European Security Strategy (OJ L 20, 23.1.2013, p. 53).