Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984 of 15 July 2024 in support of the Institutional Transitional Planning for Non-Routine Missions and Investigative Capacities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

1 With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the Union shall support the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction through an operational action.

2 The objectives of the action referred to in paragraph 1 shall be: Integration of knowledge and expertise for investigative methodologies, protocols and activities (e.g. deployments etc.); Continued compliance with evidentiary information sharing, as mandated in paragraph 12 of OPCW Decision C-SS-4/DEC.3 of 26-28 June 2018, entitled ‘Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use’, to preserve and provide information to relevant investigatory entities.

3 A detailed description of the action referred to in paragraph 1 is set out in the Project Document.

1 The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘HR’) 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 Technical Secretariat of the OPCW.

3 The OPCW shall perform the task referred to in paragraph 2 under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the OPCW.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the actions referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 1605447,56.

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 reference amount set out in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a contribution agreement with the OPCW. The contribution agreement shall stipulate that the OPCW 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 OPCW. 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 actions referred to in Article 1.

1 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

2 This Decision shall expire 24 months after the conclusion of the 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 period.