Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1465 of 12 October 2020 on a European Union action in support of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism in Yemen

The Union shall renew its support to UNVIM to implement its mandate as set out in relevant UNSCRs, in particular UNSCRs 2216 (2015) and 2451 (2018). That support shall have the overall objectives of contributing to the restoration of the unimpeded free flow of commercial items to Yemen through the provision of a transparent and effective clearance process for commercial shipments destined for Yemeni ports which are not under the control of the Government of Yemen, and of enhancing UNVIM’s role in implementing the provisions of the Stockholm Agreement.

The specific objectives of this project are:

• to increase the flow of commercial cargo to Yemen by accelerating further the clearance process for commercial shipments and promoting the confidence of shipping companies as regards the accessibility of the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa to commercial shipping,

• to enhance UNVIM’s ability to deploy in the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa as set out in the Stockholm Agreement and the relevant UNSCRs.

The Union shall support through this Decision the Office of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Yemen and UNMHA with regard to the deployment of UNVIM in the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa and in other locations in countries neighbouring Yemen, as necessary for the implementation of UNVIM. For that purpose, the Union shall contribute to costs associated with the reinforcement of UNVIM, and thereby help to respond to the needs of the Yemeni population as part of a broader humanitarian strategy.

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 technical implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1 shall be entrusted to UNOPS. It shall perform that task under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with UNOPS.

The financial reference amount for the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1 shall be:

• EUR 2 059 838 for the period from 1 October 2020 until 28 February 2022,

• EUR 2 200 000 for the period from 1 March 2022 until 30 September 2022,

• EUR 2 200 000 for the period from 1 October 2022 until 30 September 2023,

• EUR 2 200 000 for the period from 1 October 2023 until 30 September 2024,

• EUR 2 200 000 for the period from 1 October 2024 until 30 September 2025.

The expenditure financed by the 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 financed by the amount set out in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a contribution agreement with UNOPS. That contribution agreement shall stipulate that UNOPS is to ensure visibility of the Union’s contribution.

The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the contribution agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the adoption of this Decision. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in that process and of the date of conclusion of that contribution agreement.

The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports prepared by UNVIM, including reports on the monthly meetings of the UNVIM Steering Committee. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation by the Council.

The Commission shall provide the Council with information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the project referred to in Article 1.