L 168/30
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
3.7.2023
ANNEX
European Union Support to Enhance OPCW Operational Effectiveness - EU 2023
1.
Background
In December 2003, the European Union (EU) adopted the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (EU Strategy), in which it recognised the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction to international peace and security.
The EU Strategy underlines the crucial role of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and of the OPCW in creating a world free of chemical weapons.
The objectives of the EU Strategy are complementary to those of the CWC.
The EU and the OPCW, since adoption of the EU Strategy, have pursued cooperation including engagement through a series of Joint Actions and Council Decisions.
(1) The OPCW has received consistent support of the EU in the implementation of its mandate, reflecting a continued commitment to the full implementation of the CWC, with 38.2M EUR of voluntary contributions through the Common Foreign and Security Policy (“CFSP”) budget provided since 2004.
The OPCW welcomes the EU’s continued commitment to supporting the OPCW in its efforts to fulfil the goal of the Convention –a world free of chemical weapons, thus contributing to international peace and security.
Furthermore, recognising emerging challenges, the OPCW also welcomes the EU’s sustained interest in strengthening its support to OPCW’s technical teams when providing assistance to States Parties under the Convention, as necessary, in the active implementation of Chapter II and III of the EU Strategy.
A dynamic international security environment makes the OPCW’s mission as relevant as ever.
The upcoming Fifth Review Conference, the imminent milestone of the complete destruction of declared chemical weapons stockpiles, as well as the opening of the new Centre for Chemistry and Technology (CCT) present opportunities as well as they present challenges to the OPCW.
For the Organisation to retain its relevance in the post-destruction phase, strategic engagement is critical.
Partnership and support through the EU Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP) budget has proven instrumental to assisting the OPCW in the promotion and implementation of its core objectives, which also amplifies the impact of OPCW activities.
2.
Project Purpose
2.1 Overall Objectives of the Project The overall objective of the project is to ensure the Secretariat’s capacity to facilitate and improve States Parties’ implementation of the Convention.
Such support would contribute to peace and international security through effective implementation of OPCW’s mandate.
It would also assist in the prevention of re-emergence of chemical weapons, while promoting peaceful uses of chemistry.
Implementation of the project will, wherever applicable in the proposed activities, give due consideration to gender diversity.
2.2 Specific Objectives — Verifying the elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles and chemical weapons production facilities subject to the verification measures provided for in the CWC; — Preventing re-emergence and reducing the threat of usage through the non-proliferation of chemical weapons, through the application of the verification and implementation measures provided for in the Convention, which also serve to build confidence between States Parties; — Effectively and credibly responding to chemical weapons use and allegations thereof; — Ensuring preparedness through the provision of assistance and protection against chemical weapons, their use, or threat of use in accordance with the provisions of Article X of the CWC; (1) Inclusive of Joint Action 2004/797/CFSP (expired); Joint Action 2005/913/CFSP (expired); Joint Action 2007/185/CFSP (expired); Decision 2009/569/CFSP (expired); Joint Action 2012/166/CFSP (expired); Decision 2015/259 (extended with Decision 2018/294 and expired); Decision 2017/2302 (extended with Decision 2019/1092, expired); Decision 2017/2303 (extended with Decision 2018/1943 and Decision 2019/2112, expired); Decision 2019/538 (in force through April 2023); Decision 2021/1026 (in force through August 2023), and Decision 2021/2073 (in force through December 2025).