Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3006 of 2 December 2024 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition

1 With a view to the implementation of the EU SALW Strategy, the Union shall finance a project, the overall objective of which is to further contribute to improved security in the South-East Europe region and in the Union by combatting the threat posed by illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in and from South-East Europe and Ukraine.

2 Specifically, the project will support: further development of a legislative and regulatory framework on SALW, firearms, and explosives, and its harmonisation with the Union framework and standardisation in South-East Europe, capacity building of customs authorities, border police and criminal police services of the Western Balkans to counter illicit trafficking and possession of firearms, continuation of evidence-based policy-making on SALW control, addressing the needs of both men and women, strengthening of regional cooperation, knowledge exchange and information-sharing on SALW control, enhancement of capacities for Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM).

1 The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) 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 South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC), where necessary in coordination with the Driver of the European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) Firearms.

3 SEESAC 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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which shall act on behalf of SEESAC.

1 The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project financed by the Union referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 3999920,60.

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.

4 For that purpose, the Commission shall conclude the necessary agreement with UNDP, which shall act on behalf of SEESAC. The agreement shall stipulate that SEESAC has to ensure the visibility of the Union’s contribution, appropriate to its size.

5 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.

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

1 The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular quarterly reports prepared by SEESAC.

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(4). However, it shall expire six months after the date of its entry into force if no agreement has been concluded within that period.