Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/2064 of 25 September 2023 on Union support for the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities

1 With a view to the implementation of the Strategy, the EU Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, the Union shall further support the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO through an operational action.

2 The objectives of the action referred to in paragraph 1 shall be to: (a) strengthen the capabilities of the CTBT monitoring and verification system; (b) strengthen the capabilities of the States Signatories to the CTBT to fulfil their verification responsibilities under the CTBT and to enable them to benefit fully from their participation in the CTBT regime; (c) raise awareness of the CTBT and promote its universalisation and entry into force.

3 A detailed description of the action 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 action referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.

3 The Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO shall perform that task under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Preparatory Commission to the CTBTO.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the action financed by the Union referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 6285929.

2 The expenditure financed by the reference 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 the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. The contribution agreements shall stipulate that the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO is 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 the conclusion of the agreement.

1 The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. The reports shall form the basis of the evaluation carried out by the Council.

2 The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the action 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 conclusion of the agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after the date of the entry into force if no agreement has been concluded within that period.