Article 1 
1. This Decision is guided by the following principles: (a) making best use of the experience gained through previous Joint Actions and Council Decisions in support of the BTWC; (b) taking into account specific needs expressed by States Parties as well as by States not party to the BTWC with respect to strengthening biosafety and biosecurity at the national, regional and international levels through the BTWC; (c) encouraging local and regional ownership of the projects, in order to ensure their long-term sustainability and to build a partnership between the Union and third parties in the framework of the BTWC; (d) focusing on those activities that have brought concrete results in terms of strengthening national, regional and international assistance, response and preparedness capabilities; (e) contributing to the advancement of the peace and security- and health-related objectives through the effective implementation of the BTWC by States Parties. 2. The Union shall support the following projects corresponding to measures of the EU Strategy: (a) strengthening biosafety and biosecurity capabilities in Africa through increased regional coordination; (b) capacity building for BTWC National Contact Points; (c) facilitating the review of developments in science and technology of relevance to the BTWC by also involving academia and industry; (d) broadening the support for voluntary transparency exercises. A detailed description of these projects is set out in the Project Document set out in the Annex to this Decision.
Article 2 
1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision. 2. The technical implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1 shall be entrusted to UNODA. It shall perform this task under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNODA.
Article 3 
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 2 147 443,52. 2. The expenditure financed by the amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union. 3. The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude the necessary agreement with UNODA. The agreement shall stipulate that UNODA is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution appropriate to its size. 4. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Decision. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of the agreement.
Article 4 
The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by UNODA. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the projects referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 5 
1. This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. 2. This Decision shall expire 24 months after the date of conclusion of the agreement referred to in Article 3(3) or six months after the date of its adoption if that agreement has not been concluded by that time.