Article 1
1
For the purpose of ensuring the continuous and practical implementation of certain elements of the Strategy, the Union shall support the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in order to further the following objectives:
a
to strengthen the capabilities of the CTBT monitoring and verification system, including in the field of radionuclide detection;
b
to strengthen the capabilities of the States Signatories of the CTBT to fulfil their verification responsibilities under the CTBT and to enable them to benefit fully from participation in the CTBT regime.
2
The projects to be supported by the Union shall have the following specific objectives:
a
to provide technical assistance to countries in Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, South-East Asia, the Pacific and the Far East, to enable them to fully participate in and contribute to the CTBT monitoring and verification system;
b
to support the International Monitoring System in order to improve the detection of possible nuclear explosions, specifically by supporting selected auxiliary seismic stations and radioxenon background measurement and mitigation;
c
to strengthen the verification capabilities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in the areas of ón-site inspections, specifically by supporting the preparation and conduct of the next Integrated Field Exercise;
d
to support the promotion of the CTBT and the long-term sustainability of its verification regime through the Capacity Development Initiative, that is focused on selected training and education programmes provided worldwide, including programmes hosted by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.
Those projects shall be carried out for the benefit of all States Signatories of the CTBT.
A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex.
Article 2
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 projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. It shall perform this task under the control of the High Representative. For this purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.
Article 3
1
The financial reference amount for the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 5 185 028.
2
The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated 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 financial reference amount referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. The financing agreement shall stipulate that the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution, commensurate with its size.
4
The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing 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 financing agreement.
Article 4
1
The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation carried out by the Council.
2
The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 5
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
It shall expire 36 months after the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3).
Substituted by Council Decision 2014/861/CFSP of 1 December 2014 amending Decision 2012/699/CFSP on the Union support for the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction.