Council Joint Action 2008/588/CFSP of 15 July 2008 on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Date: 2008-07-15
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU financing, EU policy, international agreement, international security, non-proliferation of arms, nuclear safety, nuclear test, weapon of mass destruction

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III

(Acts adopted under the EU Treaty)

ACTS ADOPTED UNDER TITLE V OF THE EU TREATY

COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2008/588/CFSP

of 15 July 2008

on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban
Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and
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 14 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted
the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass
Destruction, Chapter
III of which contains a list of
measures
that need to be taken both within the
European Union and in third countries to combat such
proliferation.

to the measures
particular

The EU is actively implementing this Strategy and is
III
giving effect
in
thereof,
financial
releasing
specific projects conducted by
resources
to support
multilateral
Provisional
institutions,
the
the Comprehensive Nuclear-
Technical Secretariat of
Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).

listed in Chapter

through

such

as

On 17 November 2003, the Council adopted Common
Position 2003/805/CFSP (1) on the universalisation and
reinforcement of multilateral agreements in the field of
non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
means of delivery. That Common Position calls,
inter
alia, for the promotion of the signature and ratification
of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

The States Signatories to the CTBT have decided to
endowed with
establish a Preparatory Commission,
the
legal capacity,
effective implementation of the CTBT, pending the estab­
lishment of the CTBTO.

the purpose of carrying out

for

The early entry into force and universalisation of the
CTBT and the strengthening of the monitoring and veri­
fication system of the Preparatory Commission of the
the EU Strategy
CTBTO are important objectives of
against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
In this connection, the nuclear test carried out by the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in October 2006
further underlined the importance of the early entry-into-
the CTBT and the need for an accelerated
force of
building-up and strengthening of the CTBTO monitoring
and verification system.

The Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO is engaged in
identifying how its verification system could best be
strengthened,
including through the development of
noble gas monitoring capacity and efforts aimed at
fully involving States Signatories in the implementation
of the verification regime. The Preparatory Commission
should therefore be entrusted with the technical imple­
mentation of this Joint Action.

the above,

In the light of
the Council adopted Joint
Action 2006/243/CFSP (2) and thereafter Joint Action
2007/468/CFSP (3) on support
the
Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in the area of
training and setting up, as well as strengthening the
capacities of its monitoring and verification system, and
the EU
in the framework of
Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass
Destruction. This EU support should be continued,

the implementation of

for activities of

(1) OJ L 302, 20.11.2003, p. 34.

(2) OJ L 88, 25.3.2006, p. 68.
(3) OJ L 176, 6.7.2007, p. 31.

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HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

SG/HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the
Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.

Article 1

1.
For the purposes of ensuring the continuous and practical
implementation of certain elements of the EU Strategy against
Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the EU shall
support the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the
in order to
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban-Treaty (CTBTO)
further the following objectives:

(a) strengthening the capabilities of the CTBTO monitoring and
including in the field of radio-nuclide

verification system,
detection;

(b) strengthening the capacity of the States Signatories of the
CTBT to fulfil their verification responsibilities under the
CTBT and to enable them to benefit fully from participation
in the CTBT regime.

The projects to be supported by the EU shall have the

2.
following specific objectives:

(a) continuing support for the development by the Preparatory
Commission of the CTBTO of capacity in the area of noble
gas monitoring and verification for the detection and iden­
tification of possible nuclear explosions;

(b) providing technical assistance to African countries aimed at
fully integrating States Signatories into the CTBTO moni­
toring and verification system.

These projects shall be carried out for the benefit of all States
Signatories to the CTBT.

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

Article 2

The Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General of the
1.
the Common Foreign and
Council/High Representative for
Security Policy (SG/HR), shall be responsible for the implemen­
tation of this Joint Action. The Commission shall be fully asso­
ciated.

3.
The Presidency, the SG/HR and the Commission shall keep
each other regularly informed about the projects, in conformity
with their respective competences.

Article 3

1.
The financial reference amount for the implementation of
the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 2 316 000.

The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in
2.
paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the
procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the
European Communities.

3.
The Commission shall supervise the proper management
of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 2, which shall take
it shall conclude a
the form of a grant. For this purpose,
financing agreement with the Preparatory Commission of the
CTBTO. The financing agreement
the
Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO is to ensure visibility
of the EU contribution, appropriate to its size.

stipulate that

shall

endeavour

The Commission shall

4.
the
financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as
possible after the entry into force of this Joint Action. It shall
inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the
date of conclusion of the financing agreement.

to conclude

Article 4

of

regular

The Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR, shall report
to the
Council on the implementation of this Joint Action on the
basis
Preparatory
Commission of the CTBTO. These reports shall form the basis
for the evaluation by the Council. The Commission shall be
fully associated. It shall provide information on the financial
aspects of the implementation of this Joint Action.

prepared

reports

the

by

Article 5

This Joint Action shall enter into force on the day of
adoption.

its

2.
The technical implementation of the projects referred to in
Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the Preparatory Commission
of the CTBTO. It shall perform this task under the control of
the
the SG/HR, assisting the Presidency. For

this purpose,

It shall expire 18 months after the date of the conclusion of the
financing
agreement between the Commission and the
Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO or after six months if
no financing agreement has been concluded before that date.

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This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 6

Done at Brussels, 15 July 2008.

For the Council
The President

M. BARNIER

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ANNEX

EU support for the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in order to strengthen its
monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy
against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

I. INTRODUCTION

The building up of a well-functioning monitoring and verification system of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO is
a crucial element for preparing the implementation of the CTBT once it has entered into force. The development of
capacity of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in the area of noble gas monitoring is an important tool for
assessing whether or not an observed explosion is a nuclear test. In addition, the operability and performance of the
CTBTO monitoring and verification system depends on the contribution of all States Signatories of the CTBT. Therefore,
it is important to enable States Signatories to participate and contribute fully to the CTBTO monitoring and verification
system.

The proposal is built on the following two components:

(a) noble gas monitoring;

(b) technical assistance.

1. Project Component Noble Gas Monitoring: radio-xenon measurements and data analysis to support the CTBTO in implementing

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECTS

the noble gas verification regime

Background

1. The reported noble gas measurements of different teams in the aftermath of the DPRK event on 9 October 2006
have demonstrated the feasibility of radio-xenon measurements and the usefulness of these data for verification
purposes. However, considerable research efforts are still necessary to fully determine the potential of this tech­
nology for CTBT purposes.

2. The results of the ‘International Noble Gas Experiment’ (INGE) gained during the last eight years clearly showed
that the radio-xenon background was much more complex than initially thought. Indeed,
initially unforeseen
anthropogenic sources were identified, such as radioisotope production facilities for medical applications. Some of
these facilities started operating after the negotiation of the CTBT. A complete inventory of radio-xenon sources is
still to be done. Correlated to this issue is the variation of the atmospheric xenon activity concentration back­
ground in location, composition and with time.

3. Council Joint Action 2007/468/CFSP (second CTBTO Joint Action), was aimed at studying and measuring the
xenon background in several parts of the world for limited periods. The aim of the second CTBTO Joint Action
was to improve knowledge and understanding of the impact of sources, atmospheric transport and the influence of
regional meteorological characteristics. The measurements are currently being performed at different distances of
known anthropogenic sources, such as nuclear power plants and radiopharmaceutical plants. Results of the second
CTBTO Joint Action will be used to further develop and validate methodologies for the categorisation of
measurements detected by efficient noble gas detection systems.

Objectives of the new project

4. As a direct follow-up to the activities undertaken under the second CTBTO Joint Action, the CTBTO is now
proposing a more comprehensive global measurement campaign. This will focus on examining the influence of
local radio-xenon sources on the distribution and time variability of radio-xenon concentrations. The project aims
at achieving the following objectives:

— to supplement the knowledge of the global xenon background through measurements for longer and thus
more representative periods of time. This is needed to investigate the impact of regional and seasonal
meteorological transport patterns.

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— to add empirical data to improve our understanding of noble gas network performance and help to understand
in particular how noble gas detection inter-relates with other International
its strengths and weaknesses,
Monitoring System (IMS)
It could also provide a
technologies and atmospheric transport calculations.
valuable basis for a possible implementation of noble gas monitoring capability throughout the network, as
mentioned in the Protocol to the CTBT,

— to test of xenon equipment and logistics under different environmental conditions. It is understood that
available xenon measurement systems (Swedish SAUNA and French SPALAX systems) are well advanced,
with the potential for transport and deployment in difficult environments. However, more experience is
required to learn how and under what conditions these systems can be deployed, as well as which logistical
and technical support is needed.

Benefits

5. The benefits for the verification system will be:

— to obtain more observations of the radio-xenon background at different distances from the measured known

anthropogenic sources,

— to obtain possible additional input for a global radio-xenon inventory,

— to support the development as well as the validation of the methodology for data analysis and interpretation

for the IMS network,

— to further develop and validate atmospheric transport modelling at different scales and for different geogra­

phical regions,

— to encourage and support

local cooperating institutions to participate in and contribute to the INGE
experiment with follow-up national xenon detection systems to train local station operators and to facilitate
system commissioning,

— to identify areas where the network performance could be affected by seasonal meteorological conditions.

Description

6. Within the project, it is planned to purchase two xenon measurement systems, preferably using two different
detection methods. The systems, one robust mobile unit and one turnkey unit customised in a transportable
container, will use existing and available technologies. Parallel to the system procurement, there will be site visits
to check infrastructure and to prepare the measurement campaign. The selection of the sites and the duration of
the measurements will be based on detailed meteorological studies to be carried out by the Provisional Technical
Secretariat (PTS) in a preparatory phase. The criteria for the site selection will also be based on the availability of
cooperating local
logistics and meteorological criteria. The preparation phase is envisaged to last
institutions,
between three and six months.

7. After a short test operation period at headquarters, the two systems will be transported to the selected sites to
measure radio-xenon for a representative period of time of 6 to 12 months. The systems will be installed,
calibrated and put into operation by the system provider. Local staff will be contracted for the duration of the
measurement and trained to be able to perform daily system operation and maintenance. After completion of the
measurement, the systems will be returned to the PTS.

8. Close cooperation and participation of interested institutions in the countries where the measurements are carried
out in all aspects of the project implementation will be sought. In addition, the PTS will seek the cooperation with
EU Member States’ institutions in specific fields, such as laboratory support, quality control, logistics and atmo­
spheric transport studies.

9. The data will be analysed by the PTS. A workshop will be held at the end of the project to evaluate the results.

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2. Project Component Technical Assistance: Integrating States Signatories in Africa to fully participate in and contribute to the

implementation of the CTBTO monitoring and verification system

Background

1. One of the unique features of the CTBT verification system among arms control regimes is real-time provision of
compliance-relevant information directly to participating States. The IMS and International Data Centre (IDC) data
and products are made available to every State Signatory. Currently, the PTS provides data and products to more
than 840 authorised users in 96 States Signatories.

2. While interest among developing countries in the establishment of National Data Centres (NDC) has grown
significantly over the past two years (an increase of subscribers of approximately 20 %) many developing
countries still do not yet have full access to the CTBTO system. This is particularly the case in the African
region where the number of States establishing National Data Centres (NDCs) as well as the number of Secure
Signatory Accounts (SSAs) remains low.

3. The proposed technical assistance activities are aimed at facilitating the improved participation by African States
in the CTBT verification system and its scientific benefits. In order to be able to request data and products and to
make use of them, potential users must be provided with sufficient technical background. Such background
should cover the basic functionalities of the IDC and IMS as well as of the scientific applications that can be
derived from the use of IMS data and IDC products. This can best be achieved through training activities over a
longer period of time.

4. The project will therefore involve the extended presence of technical experts hired by the PTS in each beneficiary
State, who will serve as regional Focal Points (FPs) for the duration of this project. As feasible, targeted training
and technical assistance activities will be devised for the beneficiary States in which particular needs regarding the
establishment of NDCs and SSAs as well as regarding the system’s scientific benefits have been identified and
assessed. Selected States Signatories in Africa which have yet to ratify the CTBT will also be involved in this
project. All FP activities in beneficiary States will be carried out in close coordination with, and with support
from, the PTS to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of training and technical assistance efforts undertaken in
this project, as well as to ensure adequate harmonisation with the activities undertaken in Joint Action
2006/243/CFSP (first CTBTO Joint Action).

5. Applying the abovementioned criteria, the PTS foresees, in this first phase of targeted technical assistance efforts,
activities in as many of the following African States as possible, subject to a prior assessment of feasibility by the
PTS taking account of local conditions prevailing at the time, and following endorsement of beneficiary countries
in accordance with provisions set out under IV:

— in Eastern and Southern Africa: Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique,

Swaziland, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe,

— in Northern and Western Africa: Algeria, Benin, Chad, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea,

Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Morocco, Togo and Tunisia.

Objectives of the project

6. The aims of the project are to provide beneficiary States with sufficient knowledge and assistance for the building
and/or improving their own NDCs’ capabilities, as well as a training programme for NDC staff. It will also include
a strong component on IMS Station Operation practices. Beneficiary States will be enabled to access and use IDC
data and products more easily, effectively and efficiently and to improve maintenance operations of IMS stations
within their territories.

7. It is anticipated that the interaction with FPs will facilitate an increase in the number of NDCs among beneficiary
States and an enhanced participation by those States in the implementation of the CTBT monitoring and
verification system,
including effective and efficient use of IDC data and products. Furthermore, the project
aims at strengthening the interaction and cooperation between the CTBTO and scientists and scientific insti­
tutions in those regions.

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8. An integral part of the project will involve the use of the PTS e-learning capacities developed under the first
CTBTO Joint Action. It will provide a forum where participants can be instructed in the use of the e-learning
products. The feedback from this process by users in the beneficiary States will have a positive influence on both
the e-learning and technical assistance projects.

9. Focusing on technical assistance, this should raise the profile of each State Signatory’s engagement with its NDC
development activities undertaken by the PTS. These activities will be undertaken in furtherance of the provisions
for technical assistance contained in Part I F. 22 of the Protocol to the CTBT.

Benefits

10. The project aims to have a number of important benefits for the CTBTO and the beneficiary States, namely:

— It will enable the NDCs in the beneficiary States to have a better qualified technical competence in:

— the upkeep and maintenance of their IMS stations,

— the analysis and management of the data and data products.

— It will allow those States that establish NDCs to receive and analyse the raw data provided by the IDC in real

time.

11. States establishing NDCs will receive financial, technological and human support from the PTS, and such support
will help recipient States to develop and maintain the technical expertise necessary to participate fully in the
CTBT monitoring and verification system.

12. A greater appreciation among beneficiary States of how the establishment of a NDC can help enrich their own

scientific base and how IMS data can be used for analysing events in the region.

13. Increasing the number and geographic spread of NDC sites receiving and independently analysing IDC infor­
mation will allow more effective use of the IDC, thereby facilitating further improvement in system accuracy (as
highlighted in the first system-wide performance test undertaken by the PTS in April-June 2005).

Description

14. The PTS will identify and provide two technical experts as consultants serving as FPs, who will be based in Africa
for the duration of this project and who will coordinate all the activities, in consultation with and under approval
of IDC management. The beneficiary States will be divided into two groups between the two FPs. The work in
each region will be divided into two phases.

15. Phase 1: Technical working visits to each country:

— The FPs will travel to the beneficiary States as described above to assess the awareness and usage of PTS data
products. They will interact with national authorities, to understand the current needs and perceptions, and to
increase awareness of PTS data and products, including their potential use for civil and scientific purposes. In
addition, the FPs will establish contact with other relevant institutes in each country which might benefit from
utilising PTS data and products. The FPs will facilitate networking between the national authority and relevant
institutes as appropriate. In cases where an NDC exists, the status of each NDC in terms of personnel and
infrastructure (including computer and Internet infrastructure) will be assessed, in order to formulate priority
promotional activities.

— Subsequently, a technical hands-on training session will be held, which will bring together participants from
the institutions identified in this phase. This training session will provide technical instruction on PTS data
and products. It will be customized based on the skill set of the participants and taking into account the
official languages of the beneficiary countries. During this training session participants will work with PTS
software developed for NDCs, which can be used to access and analyse PTS data and products. This software
will be provided to participants (who are authorised users of the PTS) to install at their own institutes. In
addition, computer hardware and peripherals will be given to participants who are authorised users of the
PTS, based on their assessed needs. This session will also provide an opportunity to foster cooperation
between technical staff at institutes in the region.

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16. Phase 2: Follow-up

After the completion of phase 1, the participants should be able to utilise their new knowledge, software, and
hardware and to install and operate these new items based on what was learned during the training session. In
order to consolidate the acquired skills and/or to close remaining gaps, the FPs will return to the beneficiary
countries to assess how the participants are making use of what was learned at the training sessions in Phase 1.
The objective of these shorter follow-up visits is to ensure that the local technical staff can routinely use PTS data
and products. These efforts will be customised based on the local needs and skills, with an eye towards
sustainability, so that the activities continue even after the conclusion of this project.

17. As conclusion of the project, a comprehensive report will be submitted for each beneficiary country, which
describes the progress made, as well as the articulated and perceived needs, and the inter-relationships between
the organisations which were visited. This will form the basis for further follow-up activities in the respective
countries.

The total estimated duration of the implementation of the projects is 18 months.

III. DURATION

IV. BENEFICIARIES

The beneficiaries of the projects in this Joint Action are all States Signatories to the CTBT, as well as the Preparatory
Commission of the CTBTO.

The final choice of beneficiary countries for the project component ‘Technical Assistance’ will be made in consultation
between the implementing entity and the Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR, in close consultation with Member States and
the Commission in the framework of the competent Council Working Party. The final decision will be based on proposals
by the implementing entity in accordance with Article 2(2) of this Joint Action.

V. IMPLEMENTING ENTITY

The CTBTO Preparatory Commission will be entrusted with the technical implementation of the projects. The projects
will be implemented directly by staff of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO, experts from the States Signatories to
the CTBT and contractors. In the case of contractors, the procurement of any goods, works or services by the Preparatory
Commission of the CTBTO in the context of this Joint Action will be carried out as detailed in the financing agreement to
be concluded by the European Commission with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.

The implementing entity will prepare:

(a) a mid-term report after the first six months of the implementation of the projects;

(b) a final report not later than one month after the end of the implementation of the projects.

Reports will be sent to the Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR.

VI. THIRD-PARTY PARTICIPANTS

The projects will be financed in their entirety by this Joint Action. Experts from the Preparatory Commission of the
CTBTO and from the States Signatories to the CTBT may be considered as third-party participants. They will work under
the standard rules of operation for experts of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.