Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/847 of 30 May 2022 in support of efforts to prevent and combat illicit proliferation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and ammunition and their impact in the Americas

1 With a view to the implementation of the EU SALW Strategy, the purpose of this Decision is to address armed violence in the Americas. To that effect, the Union shall finance the project described in the Annex, the aim of which is to counter the proliferation of and illicit trafficking in firearms and munitions, and preventing engagement with firearms in highly impacted communities.

2 Pursuant to paragraph 1, the objectives of this Decision are the following: (a) to strengthen the National Firearms Regulatory Framework, considering international normative and good practices; (b) to improve the operational capacity of national authorities to mark, trace, store, and destroy firearms; (c) to optimise small arms control through the use of the Regional Communication Mechanism on Licit Transfers of Firearms and Ammunition (MCTA); (d) to strengthen community resilience to gun violence and reduce access to illicit/and or unwanted firearms; (e) to develop a Central American Firearms Roadmap to equip the countries with a practical and management tool through a regional, coordinated, and evidence based approach.

3 A detailed description of the project is set out in the Annex to this Decision.

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

2 The technical implementation of the project referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by the OAS.

3 The OAS shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the OAS.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project financed by the Union shall be 4240906 EUR.

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 that purpose, it shall conclude the necessary grant agreement with the OAS. The grant agreement shall stipulate that the OAS has 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 HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular narrative reports prepared by the OAS. Those reports shall form the basis of the evaluation to be 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 grant agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after the date of its entry into force if no agreement has been concluded within that six-month period.