Executive Summary:
Council Decision CFSP 2022/848 amends Decision CFSP 2020/1464 regarding the promotion of effective arms export controls. The amendment extends the implementation period to 30 November 2023, and adds an additional conference for partner countries and an additional midterm assessment event. The decision was made in response to challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and requests from the Implementing Agency, BAFA.
Key Points / Main Content:
Extension of Implementation Period:
* Extends the duration of Decision CFSP 2020/1464 to 30 November 2023.
Additional Activities:
* Adds a second conference for partner countries with advanced export control systems, to be held in Brussels.
* Adds a second midterm assessment event to evaluate the impact of the activities, to be held in Brussels.
Amendments to Annex:
* Updates subsection 5.2.5 to reflect the two conferences for partner countries, detailing the purpose and expected outcomes of these conferences.
* Updates subsection 5.2.6 to specify that there will be two midterm assessment events and one final assessment event.
* Replaces section 10 to state that the project will end on 30 November 2023.
Entry into Force:
* The decision enters into force on the date of its adoption (30 May 2022).
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
* Impact: Ensures the continuation of arms export control promotion activities.
* Action Required: Implement the amended decision and oversee the extended project activities.
Partner Countries with Advanced Export Controls Systems:
* Impact: Opportunity to participate in an additional conference to discuss arms trade developments and improvements in export control systems.
* Action Required: Participate in the additional conference in Brussels.
Member States:
* Impact: Participate in two midterm assessment events.
* Action Required: Participate in two midterm assessment events (workshops) to review the impact of the activities, and participate in the final assessment event.
Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the extended project activities, including the additional conference and assessment event, until 30 November 2023.
* Action Required: Continue implementing the project, organize the additional conference and assessment event, and manage the project until the new end date.
Key Entities Referenced
COUNCIL DECISION CFSP 2022/848: A Council Decision of the European Union amending Decision CFSP 2020/1464 on arms export controls.
Decision CFSP 2020/1464: A Council Decision on the promotion of effective arms export controls, which is being amended by COUNCIL DECISION CFSP 2022/848.
Treaty on European Union: The foundational treaty upon which the European Union is based, cited as the legal basis for the Council Decision.
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: The individual who proposed the amendment to Decision CFSP 2020/1464.
Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA): The Implementing Agency that requested the extension of the implementation period for Decision CFSP 2020/1464.
Brussels: The location of conferences and assessment events related to arms export controls, and where the Council Decision was made.
European Union: The political and economic union to which the policy decision applies
C. COLONNA: The President of the Council of the European Union at the time of the decision.
L 148/50 EN Official Journal of the European Union 31.5.2022
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/848
of 30 May 2022
amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1464 on the promotion of effective arms export controls
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:
(1) On 12 October 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/1464(1).
(2) Decision (CFSP) 2020/1464 provides for an implementation period of 24 months for the activities referred to in
Article 1 thereof from the date of the conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3) thereof.
(3) On 9 February 2022, the Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA), in its capacity as the Implementing
Agency, requested the authorisation of the Union to extend the period for the implementation of Decision
(CFSP) 2020/1464 to 36 months, until 30 November 2023, due to challenges arising from the continuing
COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
(4) BAFA also requests adding an additional conference for partner countries with advanced export controls systems,
and an additional mid-term assessment event.
(5) The continuation of the activities referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2020/1464, including the two additional
activities added through this Council Decision, can be performed without any financial resource implication
until 30 November 2023.
(6) Article 5 of Decision (CFSP) 2020/1464, and sub-sections 5.2.5, 5.2.6 and section 10 of the Annex to that Decision
should be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Decision (CFSP) 2020/1464 is hereby amended as follows:
(1) Article 5 is replaced by the following:
“Article 5
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption and shall expire on 30 November 2023.”;
(2) The Annex is amended as follows:
(a) the text of sub-section 5.2.5 is replaced by the following:
“5.2.5 Conferences for partner countries with advanced export controls systems
The project will take the form of two conferences in Brussels, each lasting up to two days. Each conference
will provide a forum for advanced-level discussions between Union experts and senior-level representatives
(in the areas of policy, licensing and enforcement) of beneficiary countries with advanced export control
systems.
(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/1464 of 12 October 2020 on the promotion of effective arms export controls (OJ L 335, 13.10.2020,
p. 3).31.5.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 148/51
Each conference will give the participating beneficiary countries the opportunity to:
(a) receive information on the newest developments related to the arms trade (e.g. current procurement
channels, the impact of new technologies, and security policy-related issues such as hybrid threats); and
(b) discuss and exchange views on how recent changes and improvements in arms trade controls can be
implemented as part of their own national export control system.”;
(b) The text of sub-section 5.2.6 is replaced by the following:
“5.2.6 Assessment events
In order to evaluate and review the impact of the activities under this Decision, three assessment events
(two mid-term and one final) will be organised in Brussels, ideally back-to-back with a regular COARM
meeting.
The two mid-term assessment events will take the form of workshops with the participation of
Member States. The workshops may last up to one day.
The final assessment event will take the form of an event in Brussels with the participation of beneficiary
countries and Member States. Up to two representatives (appropriate government officials) of each
beneficiary country will be invited to the final assessment event.”;
(c) The text of section 10 is replaced by the following:
“10. Duration
The project will end on 30 November 2023.”.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 30 May 2022.
For the Council
The President
C. COLONNA