Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1837 of 12 October 2015 on Union support for the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

1 For the purpose of ensuring the continuous and practical implementation of certain elements of the Strategy, the Union shall support the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in order to further the following objectives: (a) to strengthen the capabilities of the CTBT monitoring and verification system, including in the field of radionuclide detection; (b) to strengthen the capabilities of the States Signatories of the CTBT to fulfil their verification responsibilities under the CTBT and to enable them to benefit fully from participation in the CTBT regime.

2 The projects to be supported by the Union shall have the following specific objectives: (a) to support the sustainment of the monitoring system in order to improve the detection of possible nuclear explosions, specifically by supporting: selected Auxiliary Seismic (AS) stations and the global radio-xenon background characterisation and xenon mitigation; the enhancements of virtual Data Exploitation Centre (vDEC) administration and associated activities; the implementation of Phase 2 of the International Data Centre (IDC) seismic, hydro-acoustic and infrasound (SHI) re-engineering programme; and the Increasing Test Coverage for IDC Applications; (b) to strengthen the verification capabilities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in the areas of on-site inspections, specifically by supporting the development of On-Site Inspection (OSI) operational capabilities through expanding and complementing the technical capabilities of the OSI Multi-Spectral and Infrared (MSIR) system; (c) to support the promotion of the universalisation and entry into force of the CTBT and the long term sustainability of its verification regime through outreach and capacity building, including through providing support for training and workshops in South-East Asia, the Pacific and the Far East (SEAPFE) and Middle East and South Asia (MESA) to promote effective participation in the CTBT; for the Capacity Building System Maintenance; for outreach to the scientific and policy-making/diplomatic communities to increase awareness and understanding of the CTBT; and for consolidating and expanding the extended National Data Centre (NDC) in-a-box (NDC-in-a-Box) offering/package. Projects are also aimed at ensuring Union visibility in providing support to the above mentioned activities and the proper programme management in the implementation of this Decision. These projects shall be carried out for the benefit of all States Signatories of the CTBT. 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 High Representative) 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 the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. It shall perform this task under the control of the High Representative. For this purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 3024756.

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

3 The European Commission shall supervise the proper management of the financial reference amount referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution, commensurate with its size.

4 The European 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.

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

2 The European 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. This Decision shall expire 24 months after the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after its entry into force if no financing agreement has been concluded by that time.