With a view to the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the EU Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy and the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, the Union shall further support the activities of the IAEA through an operational action.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/656 of 19 February 2024 on Union support for the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the area of nuclear security
Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/656 of 19 February 2024 on Union support for the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the area of nuclear security
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 31(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
On 12 December 2003 the European Council adopted the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (‘the Strategy’).
The Union is actively implementing the Strategy and is giving effect to the measures listed in Chapter III thereof, in particular through financial support to specific projects conducted by multilateral institutions, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (‘IAEA’).
In the framework of the implementation of the Strategy, the Council adopted four Joint Actions and four Decisions on support for activities of the IAEA, namely Joint Actions 2004/495/CFSP(1), 2005/574/CFSP(2), 2006/418/CFSP(3), 2008/314/CFSP(4) and Decisions 2010/585/CFSP(5), 2013/517/CFSP(6), (CFSP) 2016/2383(7) extended by (CFSP) 2020/755(8) and (CFSP) 2020/1656(9) extended by (CFSP) 2022/1852(10). That Union support should be continued.
The 2022 Strategic Compass for Security and Defence refers to the persistent threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, the expanding nuclear arsenals, the development of new weapon systems as well as the use of nuclear threats by some countries, and expresses the Union’s objective of reinforcing concrete actions in support of the goals of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control.
The technical implementation of this Decision should be entrusted to the IAEA. The action as supported by the Union is financed through an extra-budgetary contribution to the IAEA,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
1.
2.
The overall objectives of the action referred to in paragraph 1 shall be to:
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promote adherence to relevant legally and non-legally binding international instruments to enhance nuclear security globally;
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assist States in establishing, maintaining and sustaining national nuclear security regimes for nuclear and other radioactive materials, including during transport, and associated facilities used for peaceful purposes;
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support the IAEA in playing the central role of facilitating and enhancing international cooperation and increasing visibility and awareness through communication on nuclear security.
3.
The specific objectives of the action referred to in paragraph 1 shall be to:
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provide nuclear security assistance to Ukraine;
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strengthen the participation of women in careers related to nuclear security, in particular the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme;
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build capacity to strengthen nuclear security in IAEA Member States.
4.
A detailed description of the action referred to in paragraph 1 is set out in the Annex.
Article 2
1.
The High Representative (‘HR’) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.
2.
The technical implementation of the action referred to in Article 1 shall be carried out by the IAEA.
3.
The IAEA shall perform the task referred to in paragraph 2 under the responsibility of the HR. For that purpose, the HR shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the IAEA.
Article 3
1.
The financial reference amount for the implementation of the action referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 7 200 000.
2.
The expenditure financed by the reference amount set out in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the rules and procedures applicable to the general budget of the Union.
3.
The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure financed by the reference amount referred to in paragraph 1. For that purpose, it shall conclude a contribution agreement with the IAEA. The contribution agreement shall stipulate that the IAEA is to ensure the visibility of the Union’s contribution, appropriate to its size.
4.
The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the 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 the conclusion of the agreement.
Article 4
1.
The HR shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports by the IAEA. The reports shall form the basis of the evaluation carried out by the Council.
2.
The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of the action referred to in Article 1.