Article 1 
1. With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy against Illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons and their Ammunition entitled 'Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens' ('the EU SALW Strategy') and the promotion of peace and security, the Union shall support a project to study the feasibility of establishing an internationally recognised validation system for the validation of policies and practices for the safe and secure management of SALW and ammunition. The project shall consist of two phases, 'Phase I' and 'Phase II'. — During Phase I, in the first year of the implementation, a feasibility study for the development of an internationally recognised Arms and Ammunition Management Validation System ('AAMVS') shall be undertaken to investigate options for appropriate methodologies and tools for the assessment of risk and quality; — Subject to paragraph 2, during Phase II, based on the outcome of the feasibility study of Phase I, a concept for the creation of an AAMVS shall be developed. A description of the project is set out in the Annex. 2. The Council shall decide on the basis of the outcome of the feasibility study that results from Phase I of the project whether Phase II of the project is to be implemented.
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 project referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining ('GICHD') and its specialised agency, the Ammunition Management Advisory Team ('AMAT'). 3. The GICHD shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the GICHD.
Article 3 
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project financed by the Union referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 1 642 109. 2. The amount intended to cover Phase I of the project shall be EUR 821 872. The remaining amount of EUR 820 237 shall be used if the Council decides to implement Phase II of the project. 3. The expenditure financed by the reference amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union. 4. The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude the necessary financing agreement with the GICHD. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the GICHD has to ensure the visibility of the Union's contribution, appropriate to its size. 5. The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 4 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 financing agreement.
Article 4 
1. The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular half-year narrative reports prepared by the GICHD. Those reports shall form the basis of the evaluation to be carried out by the Council. 2. The Commission shall report to the Council on the financial aspects of the project referred to in Article 1.
Article 5 
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. This Decision shall expire 14 months after the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(4), unless the Council decides to extend the Decision in order to allow for the implementation of Phase II of the project, or, if no agreement has been concluded within that period, six months after the date of its entry into force.