THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
On 10 November 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP, which was last amended by Council Decision 2012/174/CFSP.
(2)
On 22 July 2013, the Council agreed that the EU remains fully committed to fighting piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. It welcomed the good results that its naval operation Atalanta has achieved so far. The Council underlined that, despite the great progress witnessed against piracy at sea, the threat remains and progress could be reversed.
(3)
On 18 November 2013, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2125 (2013) renewing the framework for international actions in the fight against piracy and its root causes.
(4)
The EU military operation referred to in Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP (Atalanta) should be extended until 12 December 2016.
(5)
On 22 July 2013, the Council further agreed that the EU will take forward its integrated approach to improving security and the rule of law in Somalia, on the basis of Somali ownership and responsibility, close coordination with other actors and coherence and synergies between EU instruments, in particular between its Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations.
(6)
That integrated approach, based on the New Deal Compact for Somalia, should contribute to enhancing maritime capacities in Somalia and the region, tackling the root causes of piracy and reducing the impunity of pirates' networks in other criminal activities at sea, thereby addressing the conditions conducive to the fulfilment of Atalanta's objectives.
(7)
In this context, a contribution by Atalanta with secondary tasks, within existing means and capabilities and upon request, to the EU's integrated approach to Somalia and the relevant activities of the international community would help to address the root causes of piracy and its networks. Those secondary tasks would be conducted to support Atalanta's exit strategy.
(8)
Atalanta's cooperation with law enforcement authorities should be facilitated in order to contribute to anti-piracy law enforcement while improving the efficiency of its intelligence-led counter-piracy operations.
(9)
Nothing in this Decision or in Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP prevents the personnel of states participating in Atalanta from complying with their obligations under applicable national laws.
(10)
It is necessary to lay down the financial reference amount intended to cover the common costs of Atalanta for the period from 13 December 2014 to 12 December 2016.
(11)
Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: