Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/597 of 11 April 2022 promoting the European network of independent non-proliferation and disarmament think tanks

1 For the purposes of contributing to the enhanced implementation of the EU WMD Non-proliferation Strategy and the EU SALW Strategy, which are based on the principles of effective multilateralism, prevention and cooperation with third countries, the continued promotion and support of the activities of the European network of independent non-proliferation and disarmament think tanks is hereby extended in order to further the following objectives: (a) to encourage political and security-related dialogue and long-term discussion of measures to combat the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems within civil societies and, in particular, among experts, researchers and academics; (b) to provide those participating in the relevant preparatory bodies of the Council with the opportunity to consult the network on issues related to non-proliferation, disarmament and arms export control, and to enable the representatives of Member States to participate in the meetings of the Consortium; (c) to constitute a useful stepping stone for non-proliferation and disarmament action by the Union and the international community, in particular by providing reports and/or recommendations to the representatives of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (‘the HR’); (d) to contribute to enhancing third countries’ awareness of proliferation and disarmament challenges and of the need to work in cooperation with the Union and in the context of multilateral fora, in particular the United Nations, to prevent, deter, halt and, where possible, eliminate proliferation programmes of worldwide concern; (e) to contribute to the development of expertise and institutional capacity in non-proliferation and disarmament matters in think tanks and governments in the Union and third countries, including by strengthening non-proliferation and disarmament education, raising awareness of those issues among the younger generations and promoting the next generation of researchers and practitioners in this field, especially women, and in the natural and technical sciences.

2 The projects to be supported by the Union shall include the following specific activities: (a) providing means for the holding of major annual conferences with third countries and civil society on non-proliferation and disarmament to discuss and identify further measures to combat the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems and interrelated disarmament objectives, as well as to address challenges related to conventional weapons, including countering the illicit trade and excessive accumulation of SALW and their ammunition. The conferences will also promote internationally the EU WMD Non-proliferation Strategy and the EU SALW Strategy, and the role, in this field, of Union institutions and think tanks in the Union, with a view to raising the visibility of Union policies in this area and submitting reports and/or recommendations to the representatives of the HR; (b) providing means for the organisation of annual consultative meetings between representatives of Union institutions, representatives of Member States and experts to exchange views on major issues and critical developments in the fields of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms export control with a view to submitting reports and/or recommendations to the representatives of the HR; (c) providing means for the organisation of ad-hoc seminars for experts and practitioners on the full range of non-proliferation and disarmament issues, covering both unconventional and conventional arms, with a view to submitting reports and/or recommendations to the representatives of the HR; (d) providing means for the preparation and publication of policy papers covering topics under the mandate of the Consortium and putting forward political and/or operational policy options; (e) providing means for continued awareness-raising, education and development of expertise and institutional capacity in the area of non-proliferation and disarmament in think tanks and governments in the Union and third countries through: the maintenance and further development of an e-learning course covering all relevant aspects of non-proliferation and disarmament, the setting-up of up non-proliferation and disarmament internships for graduate students or young diplomats from the Union and third countries, the continuation of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative and the Mentorship Programme, the organisation of annual Brussels study visits for the participants in the UN Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament in order to promote and raise the visibility of Union policies in the fields of non-proliferation, disarmament and arms export control, the organisation of a training course to raise awareness of proliferation risks, including those stemming from science and technology developments, among students of the natural sciences; (f) providing means for further maintaining, managing and developing an internet platform and related accounts on social networks to facilitate contacts, provide a unique forum for European disarmament and non-proliferation research, promote the European network of independent non-proliferation and disarmament think tanks, reach out to the global non-proliferation and disarmament community and promote the educational offers of the Consortium with respect to both on-site training courses and e-learning. A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex.

1 The HR shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.

2 Technical implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the Consortium, consisting of the Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS), the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (HSFK/PRIF), the International Institute for Strategic Studies Europe (IISS-Europe), the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the International Affairs Institute (IAI) in Rome and the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP). The Consortium shall perform this task under the responsibility of the HR. For this purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Consortium.

3 Member States and the European External Action Service shall propose priorities and topics of specific interest for assessment in the Consortium’s research programmes, to be addressed in working documents and seminars, in accordance with the policies of the Union.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects covering the activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 4700000.

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 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 the Consortium. The agreement shall stipulate that the Consortium is to ensure 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 reports prepared by the Consortium. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council.

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

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). However, it shall expire 6 months after its entry into force if that agreement has not been concluded by that time.