Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2356 of 19 December 2016 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe in the framework of the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition

With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, and to the promotion of peace and security, the SEESAC project on reducing the threat of the illicit spread and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition in South-East Europe to be supported by the Union shall have the following specific objectives: increasing regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and information-sharing with a view to enhancing capacity for evidence-based policymaking; improving capacity for physical security and stockpile management (‘PSSM’) through infrastructure security upgrades, surplus reduction and training; enhancing capacity for marking, tracing and record-keeping; reducing illicit possession and misuse of firearms through support for awareness-raising and collection campaigns. The Union shall finance the project, a detailed description of which is set out in the Annex.

1 The High Representative shall be responsible for the implementation of 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 High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNDP, which shall act 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 6508136. The total estimated budget of the overall programme shall be EUR 9142355. 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, which shall act 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 High Representative 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 date of its adoption.

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