2010/461/CFSP: Council Decision 2010/461/CFSP of 26 July 2010 on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

1 For the purposes of ensuring the continuous and practical implementation of certain elements of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (the Strategy), the Union shall support the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to further the following objectives: to strengthen the capabilities of the CTBT monitoring and verification system, including in the field of radionuclide detection, to strengthen the capabilities of the States Signatories of the CTBT to fulfil their verification responsibilities under the CTBT and to enable them to benefit fully from participation in the CTBT regime.

2 The projects to be supported by the Union shall have the following specific objectives: (a) to improve the operation and sustainability of the monitoring and verification system of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO; (b) to strengthen the verification capabilities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in the areas of on-site inspections and noble gas monitoring and verification for the detection and identification of possible nuclear explosions; (c) to provide technical assistance to countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean aimed at fully integrating States Signatories into the CTBT monitoring and verification system. These projects shall be carried out for the benefit of all States Signatories of the CTBT. A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex.

1 The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the HR) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.

2 The technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be entrusted to the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.

3 The Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the HR. For this purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 5280000.

2 The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.

3 The European Commission shall supervise the proper implementation of the Union's contribution referred to in paragraph 1. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution, commensurate with its size.

4 The European 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.

The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports to be prepared by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. These reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The European Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the projects as referred to in Article 3(3).

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall expire 18 months after the date of the 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.