Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1464 of 12 October 2020 on the promotion of effective arms export controls

For the purpose of promoting peace and security, and in line with the European Security Strategy and the Global Strategy for the Union’s foreign and security policy, the Union shall pursue the following objectives:

1. promoting effective controls on arms exports by third countries in accordance with the principles set out in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and in the ATT, and seeking, where appropriate, complementarity and synergies with Union assistance projects in the field of export controls on dual-use goods; and

2. supporting third countries’ efforts at national and regional levels to render trade in conventional weapons more responsible and transparent, and to mitigate the risk of the diversion of arms to unauthorised users.

The Union shall pursue the objectives referred to in paragraph 1 through the following project activities:

1. further promoting, among third countries, the criteria and principles set out in Common Position 2008/944/CFSP and in the ATT, on the basis of the achievements made through the implementation of Joint Action 2008/230/CFSP and Decisions 2009/1012/CFSP, 2012/711/CFSP, (CFSP) 2015/2309 and (CFSP) 2018/101;

2. assisting third countries in the drafting, updating and implementing, as appropriate, of relevant legislative and administrative measures which aim to establish an effective system of conventional arms export controls;

3. assisting beneficiary countries in the training of licensing and enforcement officers to ensure adequate implementation and enforcement of arms export controls;

4. assisting beneficiary countries in outreach to their national arms industry to ensure compliance with export control regulations;

5. promoting transparency and responsibility in the international arms trade, including through support for national and regional measures that promote transparency and appropriate scrutiny with regard to the export of conventional weapons;

6. encouraging those beneficiary countries that have not taken any steps towards accession to the ATT to join the ATT, and to encourage signatories of the ATT to ratify it; and

7. promoting further consideration of the risk of the diversion of arms and the mitigation thereof, both from the importing and exporting perspectives.

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

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

The implementation of the project activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be carried out by the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle — BAFA). The selection of BAFA is justified by its proven experience, qualifications and necessary expertise across the full range of relevant Union arms export control activities.

BAFA shall perform its tasks under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with BAFA.

The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project activities referred to in Article 1(2) shall be EUR 1 377 542,73.

The expenditure financed by the financial reference amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the Union’s budget.

The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the financial reference amount set out in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with BAFA. The financing agreement shall stipulate that BAFA is to ensure the visibility of the Union’s contribution, appropriate to its size.

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.