Article 1 Objectives
1. For the purposes of ensuring the rapid deployment of equipment to existing and future civilian crisis management missions, the Union shall strengthen its capabilities, in particular by seeking to ensure quick and continuous access to key assets. 2. To that end, the Union shall take appropriate measures to improve the deployment and functioning of its ongoing and future civilian crisis management missions through the establishment of a warehouse with a capacity to store new and used equipment for such missions.
Article 2 Establishment of a warehouse
1. For the purposes set out in Article 1, a warehouse shall be established. It shall be located in a Member State and shall operate in accordance with the contract and the terms of reference referred to in paragraph 2. 2. The Commission shall conclude a contract, including terms of reference, with a warehouse operator to be selected in accordance with the applicable procurement procedures and in close coordination with the EEAS.
Article 3 Implementation
1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (High Representative) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision. 2. Detailed arrangements for the implementation of this Decision, including the terms of reference for the warehouse, shall be agreed between the Commission and the Civilian Operation Commander. Such arrangements shall be without prejudice to the respective roles of the Commission and the Civilian Operation Commander in civilian crisis management missions. In particular, the Civilian Operation Commander shall have access to the warehouse to exercise technical and operational oversight in order to ensure the deployment capability and the proper functioning of civilian crisis management missions. The Civilian Operation Commander shall also assess the technical suitability of used assets for storage and future use, and inform on the need to refresh and roll over stocks.
Article 4 Financial arrangements
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this Decision for the duration of the contract referred to in Article 2(2) shall be EUR 4 312 234. 2. The expenditure financed by the amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, including the principle of sound financial management.
Article 5 Reporting
1. The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision twice a year. 2. The Commission shall provide the Council with information on the financial aspects of the functioning of the warehouse.
Article 6 Review
This Decision shall be reviewed by the end of 2014. This review shall assess the utility, effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the warehouse in the context of other mechanisms for the management of assets for civilian crisis management operations.
Article 7 Entry into force
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.