Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2302
of 12 December 2017
in support of the OPCW activities to assist clean-up operations at the former chemical weapons storage site in Libya in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28(1) and Article 31(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
On 20 July 2016, the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) adopted Decision EC-M-52/DEC.1 on the Destruction of Libya's Remaining Chemical Weapons and requested the Director-General of the OPCW to assist Libya in developing a modified plan for the destruction of Libya's Category 2 chemical weapons.
On 22 July 2016, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2298, welcoming and endorsing Decision EC-M-52/DEC.1 and requesting the Director-General of the OPCW to report to the Security Council on a regular basis until the destruction is complete and has been verified.
On 27 July 2016, the OPCW Executive Council adopted Decision EC-M-52/DEC.2 on the Detailed Requirements for the Destruction of Libya's Remaining Category 2 Chemical Weapons.
On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy against proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (the Strategy), which underlines the crucial roles of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC) and of the OPCW in creating a world free of chemical weapons.
The Union is actively implementing the Strategy, and is giving effect to the measures listed in Chapter III thereof, in particular through releasing financial resources to support specific projects conducted by multilateral institutions such as the OPCW.
On 1 August 2016, the OPCW Director-General issued a Note calling for voluntary contributions to the new trust fund for support to Libya (S/1400/2016).
On 29 September 2017, the OPCW requested the European Union to consider timely assistance with funding of the cleaning-up of Libya's destruction and storage facilities.
The Union has been a strong and consistent supporter of the OPCW in the implementation of its mandate. The EU Declaration of 7 April 2017 states that the Union will continue to support the efforts and work of the OPCW.
The technical implementation of this Decision should be entrusted to the OPCW. The projects as supported by the Union can only be financed through voluntary contributions to the OPCW Technical Secretariat. Such contributions to be provided by the Union will be instrumental in enabling the OPCW to continue fulfilling the tasks as indicated in the relevant OPCW Executive Council Decisions.
The supervision of the proper implementation of the Union's financial contribution should be entrusted to the Commission,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: