Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3003 of 2 December 2024 in support of strengthening the capacities of the Ukrainian authorities to prevent and combat illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives, in cooperation with the OSCE

1 The purpose of this Decision is to strengthen the capacities of the authorities of Ukraine in preventing and combating illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives, in all its aspects, into and from Ukraine.

2 The objectives of this Decision are the following: (a) to enhance the supervisory capacities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine with respect to preventing and combating illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives; (b) to enhance the operational capacities of the National Police of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the State Customs Service of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine with respect to preventing and combating illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives.

3 The Union shall support the objectives set out in paragraph 2 through the following actions: (a) enhancing the relevant normative and legislative framework, including support in developing a national Strategy and Action Plan in relation to small arms and light weapons; (b) developing the functionality of the Unified Weapons Register of Ukraine; (c) developing the capacities of relevant institutions through training on and acquisition of specialised equipment and infrastructure; (d) enhancing national inter-agency coordination and regional and international cooperation and information exchange, in particular through developing the functionality of the Coordination Center for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Firearms, their Parts and Components, and Ammunition; (e) raising awareness among the general public.

4 The primary beneficiaries of this Decision shall be the national authorities of Ukraine referred to in paragraph 2. Other mandated national authorities shall be engaged on a case-by-case basis where necessary for the purpose of this Decision.

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

2 The technical implementation of the project referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by the Secretariat of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (the ‘OSCE Secretariat’).

3 The OSCE Secretariat shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the OSCE Secretariat.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project financed by the Union, referred to in Article 1, shall be EUR 5000000.

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 Union budget.

3 The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 2. For that purpose, it shall conclude the necessary agreement with the OSCE Secretariat. That agreement shall stipulate that the OSCE Secretariat 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 conclusion of the agreement.

1 The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of six-monthly reports prepared by the OSCE Secretariat.

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 agreement referred to in Article 3(3). However, it shall expire six months after the date of its entry into force if no such agreement has been concluded within that period.