Council Decision 2010/585/CFSP of 27 September 2010 on support for IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

1 For the purposes of giving immediate and practical implementation to certain elements of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (‘the Strategy’), the Union shall support the IAEA’s activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification in order to further the following objectives: (a) to achieve progress towards the universalisation of international non-proliferation and nuclear security instruments, including comprehensive safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol; (b) to enhance the protection of proliferation-sensitive materials and equipment and the relevant technology, providing legislative and regulatory assistance in the area of nuclear security and safeguards; (c) to strengthen the detection of and response to illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials.

2 The projects of the IAEA, corresponding to measures of the Strategy, are the projects which aim at: (a) strengthening national legislative and regulatory infrastructures for the implementation of relevant international instruments in the areas of nuclear security and verification, including comprehensive safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol; (b) assisting States in strengthening the security and control of nuclear and other radio-active materials; (c) strengthening States’ capabilities for the detection of and response to illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials. Those projects shall be carried out in countries needing assistance in those areas after an initial assessment carried out by an expert team. 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 projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the IAEA as implementing entity. It shall perform this task under the control of the HR. For this purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the IAEA.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 9966000, to be funded from the general budget of the Union.

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 general budget of the Union.

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1, which shall take the form of a grant. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the IAEA. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the IAEA is to ensure 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.

The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by the IAEA. These reports shall form the basis for the evaluation by the Council. The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2).

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall expire 24 months after the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement between the Commission and the IAEA or 12 months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded before that date.