Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1306 of 26 June 2023 in support of a project on a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East (ME WMDFZ) in an evolving regional security environment

1 For the purpose of advancing the Union’s commitment to establishing a ME WMDFZ, the Union shall support a project by UNIDIR with the following overarching objectives: assisting in mitigating regional WMD proliferation trends; encouraging regional security arrangements and arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament norms and processes; developing a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between the ME WMDFZ and current regional and international developments; and promoting an effective, verifiable, inclusive, and sustainable ME WMDFZ.

2 A detailed description of the project is set out in the Project Document in the Annex.

1 The High Representative (‘HR’) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.

2 The technical implementation of the project referred to in Article 1(1) shall be carried out by UNIDIR, which shall perform this task under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNIDIR.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1(1) shall be EUR 2099969.

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

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure financed by the amount referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a contribution agreement with UNIDIR. That agreement shall stipulate that UNIDIR is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution, appropriate to its size.

4 The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the contribution 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 that agreement.

1 The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of 12-monthly narrative reports prepared by UNIDIR. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation by the end of the project carried out by the Council.

2 The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1(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 the conclusion of the contribution 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.