Council Decision 2013/730/CFSP of 9 December 2013 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South East Europe in the framework of the EU Strategy to Combat the Illicit Accumulation and Trafficking of SALW and their Ammunition

1 With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, and the promotion of peace and security, the project on Reducing the Threat of the Illicit Spread and Trafficking of SALW and their Ammunition in South East Europe activities to be supported by the Union shall have the following specific objectives: to increase the security of stockpiles of SALW and their ammunition in South East Europe, to reduce the available stockpiles of SALW and their ammunition through destruction activities in South East Europe, to improve marking and tracing through the provision of support to the establishment or enhancement of the existing electronic weapons registration and record keeping systems in South East Europe, to enhance controls on SALW and their ammunition through fostering and facilitating knowledge sharing, information exchange and awareness-raising through closer regional cooperation in South East Europe, to support the collection of illegal SALW, explosive devices, ordnance and associated ammunition held by the population of South East European countries. The Union shall finance the project, a detailed description of which is set out in the Annex.

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

2 The technical implementation of the project referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by SEESAC.

3 SEESAC shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the HR. For this purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNDP acting on behalf of SEESAC.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project financed by the Union referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 5127650. The total estimated budget of the overall programme shall be EUR 14335403. The programme shall be co-financed by the Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway and the beneficiary.

2 The expenditure financed by the reference amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the Union budget.

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude the necessary agreement with UNDP, acting on behalf of SEESAC. The agreement shall stipulate that SEESAC has to ensure the visibility of the Union's contribution, appropriate to its size.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the 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 agreement.

1 The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular quarterly reports prepared by SEESAC. Those reports shall form the basis of the evaluation carried out by the Council.

2 The Commission shall report on the financial aspects of the project referred to in Article 1.

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

2 This Decision shall expire 36 months after the date of conclusion of the agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after the date of its entry into force if no agreement has been concluded within that period.