Council Decision 2010/765/CFSP of 2 December 2010 on EU action to counter the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) by air

1 With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition (EU SALW Strategy), the Union shall pursue the following objectives: (a) improving tools and techniques, at the disposal of relevant crisis management missions, international and third countries’ national authorities and Member States, to effectively screen and target suspect air cargo aircrafts likely to be involved in illicit trade of SALW via air within, from or to third States; (b) increasing awareness and technical expertise on the part of relevant international and national personnel, of ‘best practices’ in the areas of monitoring, detection and risk management analysis against air cargo carriers suspected of SALW trafficking via air within, from or to third States.

2 In order to achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the Union shall undertake the following measures: (a) the development and field testing of a pilot air trafficking risk management dedicated software for relevant crisis management missions, and international and national authorities, including a regularly updated database on, inter alia, air companies, aircraft, registration numbers and transportation routings; (b) the development and field testing of a secure pilot risk management and information dissemination system; (c) the development and publication of a manual and accompanying training material, as well as the provision of technical assistance to facilitate the use and adaptation of the pilot software and of the secure risk management and information system, including through the organisation of regional seminars to train relevant crisis management missions, and international and national authorities. A detailed description of the project is set out in the Annex.

1 The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (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 carried out by SIPRI.

3 SIPRI shall perform its task under the responsibility of the HR. For this purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with SIPRI.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 900000.

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. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with SIPRI. The agreement shall stipulate that SIPRI is to ensure the visibility of the EU 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 bi-monthly reports prepared by SIPRI. These reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the project’s implementation referred to in Article 1(2).

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

2 This Decision shall expire 24 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3), or 6 months after the date of adoption of this Decision if no financing agreement has been concluded within that period.

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.