Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2007 of 23 July 2007 amending Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Liberia

24.7.2007 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 192/4
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 866/2007
of 23 July 2007
amending Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Liberia
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 60 and 301 thereof,
Having regard to Council Common Position 2007/93/CFSP of 12 February 2007 modifying and renewing Common Position 2004/137/CFSP concerning the restrictive measures imposed against Liberia (1),
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas:
(1) Council Common Position 2004/137/CFSP of 10 February 2004 concerning restrictive measures against Liberia (2) provided for the implementation of the measures set out in United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia, including an arms embargo and a ban on the provision of technical and financial assistance related to military activities.
(2) In line with UN Security Council Resolutions 1647 (2005), 1683 (2006), 1689 (2006) and 1731 (2006), Council Common Positions 2006/31/CFSP (3), 2006/518/CFSP (4) and 2007/93/CFSP confirmed the restrictive measures of Common Position 2004/137/CFSP for a further period of time and provided for certain modifications.
(3) Council Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 of 10 February 2004 concerning certain restrictive measures in respect of Liberia (5) prohibits the provision to Liberia of technical and financial assistance related to military activities and the import of rough diamonds from Liberia.
(4) In the light of developments in Liberia, the UN Security Council adopted, on 20 December 2006, Resolution 1731 (2006) renewing the restrictive measures imposed by UN Security Council Resolution 1521 (2003) and deciding that the measures on arms were not to apply to supplies of non-lethal military equipment, excluding non-lethal weapons and ammunition, as notified in advance to the Committee established by paragraph 21 of Resolution 1521 (2003), intended solely for use by members of the Government of Liberia police and security forces who had been vetted and trained since the inception of the United Nations Mission in Liberia in October 2003.
(5) Common Position 2007/93/CFSP makes provision for an additional exemption covering such supplies and calls for action by the Community.
(6) It is expedient to amend Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 regarding the identification of competent authorities.
(7) It is appropriate to give retroactive effect to the amendment to the date following the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1731 (2006).
(8) Regulation (EC) No 234/2004 should therefore be amended accordingly,