Council Decision 2012/281/CFSP of 29 May 2012 in the framework of the European Security Strategy in support of the Union proposal for an international Code of Conduct on outer-space activities

To support its proposal for an international Code of Conduct on outer-space activities, the Union shall pursue the following objectives: consultations with States, active or not yet active on space issues to discuss the proposal and to gather their views, gathering expert support for the process of developing an international Code of Conduct for outer-space activities.

1 In this context, the projects to be supported by the Union shall cover the following specific activities: (a) outreach activities: promotion of the proposal for an international Code of Conduct for outer-space activities; (b) the organisation of up to three multilateral experts’ meetings to discuss the proposal for an international Code of Conduct;. (c) the coordination of a consortium of non-governmental experts.

2 Those projects and specific activities are described in more detail in the Annex.

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

2 The technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 2 shall be carried out by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). UNIDIR shall perform these tasks under the responsibility of the High Representative. For this purpose, the High Representative will enter into the necessary arrangements with UNIDIR.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 2 shall be EUR 1490000.

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

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper implementation of the Union’s contribution laid down in paragraph 1. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with UNIDIR. The agreement shall stipulate that UNIDIR is to ensure that the visibility of the Union contribution is 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 the process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement.

1 The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports to be prepared by UNIDIR. These reports shall form the basis for the evaluation by the Council.

2 The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 2.

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall expire 18 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 4(3) or six months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded within this period.