Date: 2023-03-21Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/653 of 20 March 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 on the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI)
**Summary:**
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/653, adopted on March 20, 2023, amends Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 concerning the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean, EUNAVFOR MED IRINI. This decision extends the operation until March 31, 2025.
Key changes include:
* **Disposal of Seized Arms:** Facilitating the disposal of arms and related materiel seized by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, including the communication of a certificate of seizure by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI to the Member State assisting in the disposal. The member state is then responsible for completing the procedures as swiftly as possible.
* **Financial Allocation:** Allocating a reference amount of EUR 16,921,000 for the common costs of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI for the period between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2025. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 51(2) of Decision CFSP 2021/509 shall be 10 for commitments and 5 for payments.
* **End Date:** Confirming the termination date of EUNAVFOR MED IRINI as March 31, 2025.
The decision enters into force on the date of its adoption (March 20, 2023). The decision was made in Brussels. The President of the Council is J. Borrell Fontelles.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Mediterranean: A sea located between Europe, Africa, and Asia, and the area of operation for EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
EUNAVFOR MED IRINI: The European Union military operation in the Mediterranean, established to implement the UN arms embargo on Libya.
Council Decision CFSP 2020/472: The initial Council Decision that established the European Union military operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
Council Decision CFSP 2021/542: The Council Decision that amended and extended EUNAVFOR MED IRINI.
Political and Security Committee: A committee within the European Union responsible for dealing with the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
J. BORRELL FONTELLES: The President of the Council at the time of the decision.
Brussels: The location where the decision was adopted.
21.3.2023 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 81/27
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/653
of 20 March 2023
amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 on the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean
(EUNAVFOR MED IRINI)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 42(4) and 43(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1) On 31 March 2020, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/472(1), which established a European Union
military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI).
(2) On 26 March 2021, following a Strategic Review of the operation, the Council adopted Decision
(CFSP) 2021/542(2), which inter alia extended EUNAVFOR MED IRINI until 31 March 2023.
(3) In the context of the Strategic Review of the operation, the Political and Security Committee agreed that EUNAVFOR
MED IRINI should be extended until 31 March 2025.
(4) The disposal of arms and related materiel seized by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI should be further facilitated.
(5) Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 should be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 is amended as follows:
(1) in Article 2, paragraph 5, the third subparagraph is replaced by the following:
‘A Member State assisting EUNAVFOR MED IRINI in the disposal of seized arms and related materiel shall undertake,
upon communication by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI of a certificate of seizure, to complete as swiftly as possible the
procedures required to allow for the disposal of the seized items, within the framework of the applicable law and
procedures. EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall provide that Member State with a disposal certificate.’;
(2) in Article 13, the following paragraph is added:
‘4. For the period from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2025, the reference amount for the common costs of
EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall be EUR 16 921 000. The percentage of the reference amount referred to in Article 51(2)
of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 shall be 10 % for commitments and 5 % for payments.’;
(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 of 31 March 2020 on a European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR
MED IRINI) (OJ L 101, 1.4.2020, p.4).
(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/542 of 26 March 2021 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/472 on the European Union military operation
in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI) (OJ L 108, 29.3.2021, p. 57).L 81/28 EN Official Journal of the European Union 21.3.2023
(3) in Article 15, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
‘2. EUNAVFOR MED IRINI shall end on 31 March 2025.’.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 20 March 2023.
For the Council
The President
J. BORRELL FONTELLES