Council Decision 2013/43/CFSP of 22 January 2013 on continued Union activities in support of the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations, in the framework of the European Security Strategy

• CELEX: Decision 2013/43/CFSP
• Articles: 6

Article 1

1.   For the purpose of supporting the Arms Trade Treaty (the ‘ATT’), the Union shall undertake activities with the following objectives:

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to support the successful completion of the UN negotiations on an ATT;

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to support UN Member States in developing and improving national and regional expertise to implement effective arms transfer controls, in order to ensure that the future ATT when entering into force, will be as effective as possible.

2.   In order to achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the Union shall undertake the following project activity:

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the organisation of two seminars for government experts aiming at facilitating the conclusion of negotiations and the future implementation of the ATT.

A detailed description of the project activity referred to in this paragraph 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 implementing this Decision.

2.   The technical implementation of the project activity referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the EU Non-proliferation Consortium (the ‘Consortium’).

3.   The Consortium shall perform its task under the responsibility of the High Representative. For this purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Consortium.

Article 3

1.   The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project activity referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 160 800.

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 Union’s budget.

3.   The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the Consortium. The agreement shall stipulate that the Consortium is to ensure the visibility of the Union’s contribution, appropriate to its size.

4.   The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing 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 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 following the organisation of each of the seminars. The reports will be prepared by the Consortium and they shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council.

2.   The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the project activity referred to in Article 1(2).

Article 5

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall expire 24 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3), or six months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded within that period.

Schedules & Appendices

ANNEX

ANNEX

PROJECT ACTIVITY REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 1(2)

1.    Objective

The overall objective of this Decision is to support the successful completion of the UN negotiations on an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and to support UN Member States in preparation to achieve the full implementation of the ATT once it will enter into force.

2.    Description of the project activity

2.1.    Objectives

The project activity will assist Union efforts aimed at supporting the finalisation of the negotiation of an ATT that will ‘establish the highest possible common international standards to regulate legal trade in conventional weapons’ and as a result ‘make trade in arms more responsible and transparent, thus contributing to reinforcing peace and security, regional stability and sustainable social and economic development’. In particular the project activity will:

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contribute to the delivery of a strong and robust ATT based on the draft Treaty text of 26 July 2012;

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continue Union efforts to encourage third countries to support the elaboration and implementation of a legally binding ATT, establishing international common standards for the global trade in conventional arms;

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promote Union efforts to strengthen arms transfer controls in third countries; and

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support third countries’ efforts at the national level in preparation to achieve the full implementation of the ATT once it will enter into force.

2.2.    Results

The implementation of the project activity will result in:

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a forum for a group of key governmental stakeholders to help UN Member States prepare for the UN Conference on an ATT to be convened in March 2013, and to help States prepare for the early entry into force and full implementation of an ATT. This forum will also examine ways in which existing activities in the field of international assistance for strengthening arms export controls can be coordinated and maximised;

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a publicly available 20-page report. This report will outline how to build on existing Union and international outreach and assistance activities to support efforts by third countries to put in place transfer control systems that fulfil obligations under an ATT.

2.3.    Description of activities

To meet the objectives outlined in point 2.1, this project will include three activities: two seminars and a report.

2.3.1.    Seminars for governmental representatives

The project will provide for the organisation of two two-day residential seminar for 30 to 40 governmental experts. The location and dates of each of the two seminars will be determined in consultations with the High Representative and the relevant Council Working Group.

(a)   Structure of the seminars

The two seminars will provide for a discussion on a series of issues, including:

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ways to achieve the successful completion of negotiation of an ATT at the March 2013 UN Conference, on the basis of the draft Treaty text of 26 July 2012;

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means of ensuring the earliest possible entry into force of an ATT;

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best practices of national, regional, and international assistance to help achieve the entry into force and full implementation of the ATT;

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legal, technical, material and financial elements needed to ensure the development of national systems necessary to fulfil obligations under an ATT.

A short ‘food for thought’ paper highlighting the key issues to be discussed will be prepared in advance of each of the seminars. A summary of the seminar will be prepared and submitted to the High Representative and relevant Council Working Groups shortly after its conclusion.

The detailed and final agenda of the seminars will be determined in consultations with the High Representative and the relevant Council Working Group.

(b)   Participants in the seminars

Participants in the seminars will include up to 40 governmental representatives of selected UN Member States participating in the ATT negotiations. The detailed and final list of participants for each of the two seminars will be determined in consultations with the High Representative and the relevant Council Working Group.

2.3.2.    Report on Union and international assistance to third countries in implementing an ATT

Following the completion of the two seminars, a 20-page report will be published outlining how existing Union and international outreach and assistance activities aimed at strengthening transfer controls can be developed and expanded to help UN Member States fulfil obligations under an ATT. A principal aim of the report will be to recommend measures to support the early entry into force of the ATT.

The report will be intended to assist with deliberations on future outreach and assistance to support the implementation of the ATT. It is envisaged that this report will be a public output resulting from this Decision and will ensure continued visibility of the Union’s contribution to ensuring a strong and robust ATT.

3.    Duration

The implementation period of the project activity is 12 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3).

4.    Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of this project activity will be UN Member States, with particular emphasis on State authorities responsible for setting national policies vis-à-vis the ATT and its future implementation. The selection of specific State beneficiaries will be determined in consultations with the High Representative and the relevant Council Working Group.

5.    Implementing entity

The technical implementation of this Decision will be entrusted to the Consortium. The Consortium will perform its task under the responsibility of the High Representative. The Consortium will ensure the visibility of the Union’s contribution, appropriate to its size.