Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/2309 of 10 December 2015 on the promotion of effective arms export controls

1 For the purpose of promoting peace and security, and in line with the European Security Strategy, the Union shall pursue the following objectives: (a) to promote effective controls on arms exports by non-EU countries in accordance with the principles set out in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and in the Arms Trade Treaty, and seek, where appropriate, complementarity and synergies with Union assistance projects in the field of export controls on dual-use goods; (b) to support non-EU countries' efforts at domestic and regional levels in order to render trade in conventional weapons more responsible and transparent.

2 The Union shall pursue the objectives referred to in paragraph 1 through the following project activities: (a) further promoting, among non-EU countries, the criteria and principles set out in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and in the Arms Trade Treaty, based on the achievements reached through the implementation of Decisions 2012/711/CFSP and 2009/1012/CFSP and of Joint Action 2008/230/CFSP; (b) assisting non-EU countries in drafting, updating, and implementing, as appropriate, relevant legislative and administrative measures which aim to establish an effective system of conventional arms export controls; (c) assisting beneficiaries in the training of licensing and enforcement officers to ensure adequate implementation and enforcement of arms export controls; (d) promoting transparency and responsibility in international arms trade, including through support to national and regional measures promoting transparency and appropriate scrutiny in the exports of conventional weapons; (e) encouraging those beneficiaries which have not taken any steps towards signature of, and accession to, the ATT to join the ATT and to encourage signatories to ratify it; (f) promoting further consideration of the risk of arms diversion and its mitigation, both from the importing and exporting perspectives. 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 the implementation of this Decision.

2 The technical implementation of the project activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by BAFA.

3 BAFA shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that 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 999000.

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 Union's budget.

3 The 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 BAFA. The agreement shall stipulate that BAFA is to ensure that the visibility of the Union's 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 that process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement.

The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by BAFA. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council. The Commission shall report 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 date of its adoption. It shall expire 30 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3), or 6 months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded within that period.