Rozhodnutí Rady (SZBP) 2024/3006 ze dne 2. prosince 2024 na podporu činností střediska SEESAC zaměřených na odzbrojení a kontrolu zbraní v jihovýchodní Evropě, které omezují hrozbu nedovolených ručních palných a lehkých zbraní a střeliva pro ně

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 31(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

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.

Specifically, the project will support:

Council Decision 2010/179/CFSP of 11 March 2010 in support of SEESAC arms control activities in the Western Balkans, in the framework of the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition (OJ L 80, 26.3.2010, p. 48 ).

(1) On 19 November 2018 , the Council adopted the EU Strategy against illicit firearms, small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition entitled Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens (the EU SALW Strategy).

(2) The EU SALW Strategy recalls that while significant progress has been made in recent years, especially in South East Europe, the scale of accumulation of SALW and ammunition, inadequate storage conditions, widespread illicit possession and gaps in implementation continue to limit the effectiveness of efforts to control the firearms and SALW in parts of the Western Balkans, impacting security in the region as well as in the Union.

(3) On 10 July 2018 , the Western Balkans Summit in London adopted the Regional Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW/firearms and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024 (the Roadmap).

(4) The EU SALW Strategy notes that the Union will continue its support to the South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) for SALW control activities and take into account regional initiatives, such as the Roadmap.

(5) On 29 October 2024 , the EU-Western Balkans Justice and Home Affairs ministerial meeting in Montenegro noted that the Roadmap would continue to 2030.

(6) The actions provided for under this Decision will directly contribute to the implementation of the EU SALW Strategy, the EU Action Plan on Firearms Trafficking, the EU Policy Cycle for organised and serious international crime (EMPACT Firearms), the Roadmap, the Arms Trade Treaty, the United Nations (UN) Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in all its Aspects, the International Tracing Instrument, the UN Firearms Protocol, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women and peace and security, the UN Disarmament Agenda, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda on peaceful and just societies, as well as contributing to the implementation of the Pact for the Future adopted by the UN General Assembly on 22 September 2024 .

(7) Consecutive United Nations Review Conferences reviewing the implementation of the UN Programme of Action against illicit SALW reaffirmed States’ willingness to pursue international cooperation and to reinforce regional cooperation.

(8) Under the Pact for the Future, UN Member States have committed to address the risks associated with illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, their parts and ammunition, or associated ammunition, including through national prevention strategies and approaches (Action 18), and to strengthen our national and international efforts to combat, prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects (Action 26).

(9) The project supported by this Decision will deepen and complement the Union’s assistance to SALW control, hitherto provided by the Union through Council Decisions in support of SEESAC’s work in the region, including Council Decisions 2010/179/CFSPCouncil Decision 2010/179/CFSP of 11 March 2010 in support of SEESAC arms control activities in the Western Balkans, in the framework of the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition (OJ L 80, 26.3.2010, p. 48 ). , 2013/730/CFSPCouncil Decision 2013/730/CFSP of 9 December 2013 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South East Europe in the framework of the EU Strategy to Combat the Illicit Accumulation and Trafficking of SALW and their Ammunition (OJ L 332, 11.12.2013, p. 19 ). , (CFSP) 2016/2356Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2356 of 19 December 2016 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe in the framework of the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition (OJ L 348, 21.12.2016, p. 60 ). , and (CFSP) 2019/2111Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/2111 of 9 December 2019 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition (OJ L 318, 10.12.2019, p. 147 ). . It will also contribute to the achievement of the Regional Implementation Plan and Roadmap goals supported by Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2321Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2321 of 25 November 2022 in support of the South-Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans and in support of disarmament and arms control activities in South-East and East Europe (OJ L 307, 28.11.2022, p. 149 ). ,

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).

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the High Representative) shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

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.

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.

Council Decision 2013/730/CFSP of 9 December 2013 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South East Europe in the framework of the EU Strategy to Combat the Illicit Accumulation and Trafficking of SALW and their Ammunition (OJ L 332, 11.12.2013, p. 19 ).

Article 1 Article 1 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).

Article 2 Article 2 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.

Article 3 Article 3 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.

Article 4 Article 4 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.

Article 5 Article 5 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.

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

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.

The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 2.

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.

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.

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

Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2356 of 19 December 2016 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe in the framework of the EU Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition (OJ L 348, 21.12.2016, p. 60 ).

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

The Commission shall report on the financial aspects of the project referred to in Article 1.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/2111 of 9 December 2019 in support of SEESAC disarmament and arms control activities in South-East Europe reducing the threat of illicit small arms and light weapons and their ammunition (OJ L 318, 10.12.2019, p. 147 ).

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

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.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2321 of 25 November 2022 in support of the South-Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans and in support of disarmament and arms control activities in South-East and East Europe (OJ L 307, 28.11.2022, p. 149 ).

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: