Establishment, objectives, scope and duration
Article 1
1. An assistance measure benefiting the Balkan Medical Task Force (BMTF) and non-EU participating nations, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, (the ‘beneficiaries’) to be financed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (the ‘assistance measure’) is hereby established. 2. The objectives of the assistance measure are the following: (a) to strengthen the cooperation between the Union and the Western Balkans countries in security and defence, including through enhancing regional cooperation; (b) to contribute to enhancing the security and defence capacities of the BMTF and its non-EU participating nations, thereby strengthening the overall security, resilience and stability of the Western Balkans countries and better protecting the civilian population in crises and emergencies. 3. To achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2, the assistance measure shall finance the following types of equipment not designed to deliver lethal force: (a) communication and information systems; (b) military medical vehicles; (c) field hospital equipment. The assistance measure shall also finance related supplies and services, including technical and maintenance training, where needed. 4. The duration of the assistance measure shall be 42 months from the date of adoption of this Decision.