Council Decision 2013/768/CFSP of 16 December 2013 on EU activities in support of the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, in the framework of the European Security Strategy

1 For the purpose of supporting the early entry into force and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (the ‘ATT’), the Union shall undertake activities with the following objectives: to support a number of States upon their request to strengthen their arms transfer control systems with a view to being able to implement the ATT; to increase at national and regional levels awareness and ownership of the ATT by relevant national and regional authorities and civil society stakeholders so that they are further involved in the ATT implementation.

2 In order to achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the Union shall undertake the following project activities: (a) assisting beneficiary countries in drafting, updating, and implementing, as appropriate, relevant legislative and administrative measures aiming at establishing and developing an effective system of arms transfer control in line with the requirements of the ATT; (b) strengthening the expertise and capacities of the beneficiary countries' licensing and enforcement officers, in particular through the sharing of best practices, training and access to relevant information sources in order to ensure the adequate implementation and enforcement of arms transfer controls; (c) promoting transparency in the international arms trade, building on the transparency requirements of the ATT; (d) promoting sustained adherence to the ATT by the beneficiary countries in involving relevant national and regional stakeholders such as national parliaments, competent regional organisations and civil society representatives who have a long term interest in monitoring the effective implementation of the ATT; (e) promoting wider interest in the ATT by engaging with countries that have taken no steps towards the ATT, in order to support its universalisation. A detailed description of the project activities referred to in this paragraph is set out in the Annex.

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

2 The technical implementation of the project activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA).

3 BAFA shall perform its task under the responsibility of the High Representative. For this purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with BAFA.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 5200000. The total estimated budget of the overall project shall be EUR 6445000. The part of that estimated budget not covered by the reference amount shall be provided through co-financing by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.

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 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 grant agreement with BAFA. The agreement shall stipulate that BAFA is to ensure the visibility of the Union's contribution, appropriate to its size.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the grant 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 grant agreement.

1 The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by BAFA. The reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council.

2 The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the project activities referred to in Article 1(2).

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall expire 36 months after the date of conclusion of the grant agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire on 17 June 2014 if no such grant agreement has been concluded before that date.