2002/842/CFSP: Council Decision of 21 October 2002 concerning the implementation of Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP with a view to a European Union contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons in South East Europe
Date: 2002-10-21
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European arms policy, UN Development Programme, Western Balkans, arms limitation, exchange of information, fight against crime, financial aid, firearms and munitions, technical cooperation

26.10.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 289/1

(Acts adopted pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union)

COUNCIL DECISION

of 21 October 2002

concerning the implementation of Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP with a view to a European Union
contribution to combating the destabilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light
weapons in South East Europe

(2002/842/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP (1) and in parti-
cular Article 6 thereof, in conjunction with the second indent
of Article 23(2) of the Treaty on European Union,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

The excessive and uncontrolled accumulation and spread
of small arms and light weapons has fuelled crime and
insecurity in South Eastern Europe, exacerbating conflict
in the region and undermining post-conflict peace
building, and places a serious constraint on economic
and social development in South Eastern Europe.

In pursuing the objectives set out in Article 1 of Joint
Action 2002/589/CFSP, the European Union envisages
operating within the relevant international fora and in a
regional context, as appropriate,
to render assistance
through international organisations, programmes and
agencies as well as regional arrangements.

The Regional Implementation Plan on Small Arms and
Light Weapons established under the Stability Pact for
South Eastern Europe is intended to provide a frame-
work for South East European countries to develop
programmes and project proposals leading to strength-
ened capabilities in controlling the illicit proliferation
and flow of weapons.

Under the auspices of the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) and the Stability Pact, a ‘South East
Europe Regional Clearinghouse for Small Arms Reduc-
tion’ was established, located in Belgrade, and consisting
of a technical support unit, supporting a number of
regional and national level operational activities.

The objectives of this clearing house include strength-
ening capabilities of governments and non-governmental
organisations to stem the illicit flow of small arms and
throughout South East Europe. The
light weapons
clearing house should place particular emphasis on the
development of regional projects to address the reality of
cross-border flows of weapons.

(1) OJ L 191, 19.7.2002, p. 1.

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

The European Union considers that the Regional Imple-
mentation Plan, as well as the objectives of the clearing
house, cover matters relating to the supply of, and
demand for, small arms and light weapons and are part
of the follow-up to the Programme of Action to prevent,
combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and
light weapons in all its aspects adopted by the United
Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms
and Light Weapons in all its aspects (New York, 9 to 20
July 2001).

The European Union considers that financial assistance
to the clearing house would pursue the objective of close
cooperation among States to reach the goals stated in
including
the United Nations Programme of Action,
information-sharing, assistance and standard-setting, and
highlights the role of regional organisations in fostering
this cooperation.

The Commission has agreed to be entrusted with the
implementation of this Decision.

The European Union intends therefore to offer financial
assistance to the clearing house in accordance with Title
II of Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

1.
The European Union shall contribute to the ‘South East
Europe Regional Clearinghouse for Small Arms Reduction’,
located in Belgrade, which was established under the auspices
of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and
the Stability Pact.

2.
For this purpose, the European Union shall provide finan-
cial assistance to the UNDP aimed at contributing to the staff
costs of the Belgrade clearing house.

L 289/2

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

26.10.2002

this Decision. To that end,

The Commission shall be entrusted with the implementa-
3.
tion of
the Commission shall
conclude a financing agreement with the UNDP on the use of
the European Union contribution, which will take the form of
a grant, contributing to the salaries of the Team Leader (Senior
Adviser) for 12 months and of an NGO Coordinator for 11
months.

Article 2

The financial reference amount for the purposes referred

1.
to in Article 1 shall be EUR 200 000.

The management of

2.
the expenditure financed by the
to the
amount specified in paragraph 1 shall be subject
Community procedures and rules applicable to the general
budget of the European Union.

Article 3

The Commission shall submit any relevant information on the
implementation of this Decision to the relevant Council bodies,
in accordance with Article 9(1) of the Joint Action 2002/589/

CFSP. This information may in particular be based on regular
reports to be provided by the UNDP under its contractual rela-
tionship with the Commission.

Article 4

1.

This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption.

It shall expire 12 months after
between the Commission and the UNDP has been concluded.

the financing agreement

This Decision shall be reviewed 10 months after the date

2.
of its adoption.

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal.

Article 5

Done at Luxembourg, 21 October 2002.

For the Council

The President

P. S. MØLLER