Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3097 of 5 December 2024 in support of the comprehensive programme on supporting efforts to prevent and combat illicit trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and Conventional Ammunition in South-Eastern Europe

• CELEX: Decision (CFSP) 2024/3097
• Articles: 5

Article 1

1.   With a view to implementing the EU Strategy against illicit firearms, small arms and light weapons and their ammunition (the ‘EU SALW Strategy’), the objective of this Decision is to reduce risks of illicit trafficking and uncontrolled spread of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in, to or from South-Eastern Europe that undermine safety and security by impeding sustainable peacebuilding and socioeconomic development as well as by contributing to a breakdown in order, fuelling terrorism and criminal violence or leading to a resumption of conflict.

2.   In order to achieve the objective referred to in paragraph 1, the Union shall support actions in, inter alia, the following priority areas:

(a)

assisting the national authorities of the Republic of Albania to decrease the risk of proliferation and misuse of SALW;

(b)

addressing security and safety risks of illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

(c)

supporting the strengthening of the K-9 capacity of the Kosovo  ( *1 ) police to detect and confiscate SALW, ammunition and explosives;

(d)

assisting the national authorities of the Republic of North Macedonia to decrease the risk of proliferation and misuse of SALW;

(e)

strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro to more effectively reduce, prevent, and counter illicit trafficking and misuse of SALW, ammunition and explosives;

(f)

addressing safety and security risks related to illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition in Serbia;

(g)

strengthening OSCE action against the illicit proliferation of and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition – Phase 3.

3.   The beneficiaries of the project set out in the Annex (the ‘project’) shall be the authorities in South-Eastern Europe mandated and responsible for preventing and combating illicit trafficking of SALW and CA.

4.   A detailed description of the project is 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 implementing this Decision.

2.   The technical implementation of the project shall be carried out by the OSCE Secretariat.

3.   The OSCE Secretariat shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the OSCE Secretariat.

Article 3

1.   The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project financed by the Union shall be EUR 3 763 170.

2.   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.

3.   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 OSCE Secretariat. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the OSCE Secretariat has 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 HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular narrative reports prepared by the OSCE Secretariat. Those reports shall form the basis of the evaluation to be carried out by the Council.

2.   The Commission shall report on the financial aspects of the project.

Article 5

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

2.   This Decision shall expire 36 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after the date of its entry into force if no agreement has been concluded within that period.