Article 1 
1. For the purpose of ensuring the continuous and practical implementation of certain elements of the Strategy, the Union shall support the activities of the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO in order to further the following objectives: (a) strengthen the capabilities of the CTBT monitoring and verification system, including in the field of radionuclide detection; (b) strengthen the capabilities 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. 2. The projects to be financed by the Union shall support: (a) certified auxiliary seismic (AS) stations that are part of the CTBTO International Monitoring System (IMS); (b) the development of noble gas sampling systems through study of materials for improved adsorption of xenon; (c) continuing the radio-xenon background measurement campaigns in different regions of the world; (d) the Ensemble Prediction System to quantify uncertainties and confidence level in Atmospheric Transport Modelling (ATM) simulations; (e) the scientific evaluation of the increase in resolution for ATM tools; (f) the development of new software; (g) enhancing the on-site inspection noble gas processing and detection; (h) enhancing the automatic processing and integration capabilities in seismic, hydro-acoustic and infrasound National Data Centre-in-a-Box; (i) integrated outreach and capacity-building targeting State Signatories and Non-Signatories. In the implementation of the projects, providing support to the activities referred to in this paragraph, Union visibility will be ensured as well as the proper programme management in the execution of this Decision. These projects shall be carried out for the benefit of all States Signatories of the CTBT. All project components shall be flanked by proactive and innovative public outreach activities, and resources be allocated accordingly. A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex.
Article 2 
1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the High Representative) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision. 2. The technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO. It shall perform this task under the control of the High Representative. For this purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO.
Article 3 
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 4 594 752. 2. The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the Union budget. 3. The European Commission shall supervise the proper management of the financial reference amount referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution, commensurate with its size. 4. The European Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after 26 February 2018. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement.
Article 4 
1. The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. 2. The European Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 5 
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. This Decision shall expire 24 months after the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire 6 months after its entry into force if no financing agreement has been concluded by that time.