Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/129 of 21 January 2025 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Lebanese Armed Forces
Date: 2025-01-21
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU financial instrument, Lebanon, armed forces, establishment of peace, military equipment




L_202500129EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2025/129


22.1.2025







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/129
         
of 21 January 2025
         
on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Lebanese Armed Forces


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28(1) and Article 41(2) thereof,


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

Whereas:







(1)


Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 (1) establishes the European Peace Facility (EPF) for the financing by Member States of Union actions under the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security pursuant to Article 21(2), point (c), of the Treaty. In particular, pursuant to Article 1(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, the EPF is to be used for the financing of assistance measures such as actions to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters.












(2)


The 2016 Global Strategy for the CFSP sets the objectives of strengthening security and defence, investing in the resilience of states and societies to the east of the Union, and developing an integrated approach to conflict and crises, including compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law.












(3)


On 21 March 2022, the Union approved the Strategic Compass, with the objective of becoming a stronger and more capable security provider, including through increased use of the EPF in support of partners’ defence capabilities.












(4)


In its Conclusions of 17 and 18 April 2024, the European Council reaffirmed the Union’s objective to work with all partners in the Middle East to avoid further escalation of tensions in the region, notably in Lebanon, and underlined the Union’s commitment to support the stability of that country.












(5)


In its Conclusions of 27 June 2024, the European Council expressed its concern about increasing tensions, notably along the Blue Line, and growing destruction and forced displacement of civilians on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border. It also called for further support to strengthen Lebanon, including the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).












(6)


In its Conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement of 27 November 2024 between Israel and Lebanon, following the mediation efforts undertaken in particular by France and the United States. It urged the parties to implement the ceasefire as agreed, and called for the full and symmetrical implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006). The European Council recalled in that context the fundamental stabilisation role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon. The Union will continue to support Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and state-building efforts, including by contributing to the strengthening of the LAF. The European Council called on Lebanese political leaders to take the necessary action to overcome the political and economic impasse, including the swift election of a president.












(7)


On 13 December 2024, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy received a request from Lebanon for the Union to further assist in the enhancement of the capacities of the LAF.












(8)


Assistance measures are to be implemented taking into account the principles and requirements set out in Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, in particular compliance with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (2), and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.












(9)


The Council reaffirms its determination to protect, promote and fulfil human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic principles and to strengthen the rule of law and good governance, in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1

Establishment, objectives, scope and duration


1.   An assistance measure benefiting Lebanon (the ‘beneficiary’) to be financed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (the ‘assistance measure’) is hereby established.


2.   The objective of the assistance measure is to contribute to strengthening the capacities of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to redeploy and to secure and maintain stability in the South Litani sector of Lebanon, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), and in turn contribute to protecting the civilian population.


3.   To achieve the objective set out in paragraph 2, the assistance measure shall finance the following types of equipment not designed to deliver lethal force:






(a)


field support equipment;










(b)


engineering works equipment;










(c)


combat engineering equipment;










(d)


mobility equipment;










(e)


medical equipment.




The assistance measure shall also finance related supplies and services, including technical training, where needed.


4.   The duration of the assistance measure shall be 36 months from the date of adoption of this Decision.



Article 2

Financial arrangements


1.   The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the assistance measure shall be EUR 60 000 000.


2.   All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.


3.   Expenditure related to the implementation of the assistance measure shall be eligible from the date of adoption of this Decision.



Article 3

Arrangements with the beneficiary


1.   The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) shall make the necessary arrangements with the beneficiary to ensure its compliance with the requirements and conditions established by this Decision as a condition for the provision of support under the assistance measure.


2.   The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions obliging the beneficiary to ensure:






(a)


compliance of the units of the LAF supported under the assistance measure with relevant international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law;










(b)


proper and efficient use of any assets provided under the assistance measure for the purposes for which they were provided;










(c)


sufficient maintenance of any assets provided under the assistance measure to ensure their usability and operational availability over their life cycle;










(d)


that any assets provided under the assistance measure are not lost or transferred to persons or entities other than those identified in those arrangements.






3.   The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions on the suspension and termination of support under the assistance measure in the event of the beneficiary being found in breach of the obligations set out in paragraph 2.



Article 4

Implementation


1.   The High Representative shall be responsible for ensuring the implementation of this Decision in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF and with the Integrated Methodological Framework for assessing and identifying the required measures and controls for assistance measures under the EPF.


2.   The implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1(3) of this Decision shall be carried out by:






(a)


the Central Project Management Agency;










(b)


the Ministry of Defence of Italy through its Agenzia Industrie Difesa;










(c)


the administrator for assistances measures, through an administrative arrangement with the Économat des Armées in accordance with Article 37 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509.







Article 5

Monitoring, control and evaluation


1.   The High Representative shall monitor the compliance by the beneficiary with the obligations set out in Article 3. That monitoring shall be used to provide awareness of the context and the risks of breaches of the obligations set out in Article 3, and to contribute to the prevention of such breaches, including violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by the units of the LAF supported under the assistance measure.


2.   The post-shipment control of equipment and supplies shall be organised as follows:






(a)


delivery verification, whereby EPF delivery certificates are to be signed by the end-user forces upon transfer of ownership;










(b)


reporting on the inventory, whereby the beneficiary is to report annually on the inventory of designated items until such reporting is no longer deemed necessary by the Political and Security Committee (PSC);










(c)


on-site visits, whereby the beneficiary is to grant the High Representative and the EPF auditors access to conduct on-site checks and EPF audits, upon request.






3.   The High Representative shall conduct a final evaluation upon completion of the assistance measure to assess whether the assistance measure has contributed to reaching the objectives set out in Article 1(2).



Article 6

Reporting

During the period of implementation, the High Representative shall provide the PSC with six-monthly reports on the implementation of the assistance measure, in accordance with Article 63 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509. The administrator for assistance measures shall regularly inform the Facility Committee established by Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 on the implementation of revenue and expenditure in accordance with Article 38 of that Decision, including by providing information on the suppliers and subcontractors involved.


Article 7

Suspension and termination


1.   The PSC may decide to suspend wholly or partially the implementation of the assistance measure in accordance with Article 64 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509.


2.   The PSC may recommend that the Council terminate the assistance measure.



Article 8

Entry into force

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




Done at Brussels, 21 January 2025.


For the Council


The President

A. DOMAŃSKI
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 of 22 March 2021 establishing a European Peace Facility, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2015/528 (OJ L 102, 24.3.2021, p. 14, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/509/oj).

(2)  Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (OJ L 335, 13.12.2008, p 99, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/compos/2008/944/oj).


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/129/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)