Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1223 of 4 June 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984 in support of the Institutional Transitional Planning for Non-Routine Missions and Investigative Capacities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/1223 5.6.2026 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1223 of 4 June 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984 in support of the Institutional Transitional Planning for Non-Routine Missions and Investigative Capacities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) 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 15 July 2024, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984(1), which concerns Union support for institutional transitional planning for non-routine missions and for the investigative capacities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (the ‘OPCW’). (2) On 13 March 2026, the OPCW requested a no-cost extension of the application of Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984 until 30 September 2027 in order to ensure the continuity of Union support, programming and funding and to enable the OPCW to complete the delivery in full of the original intended activities under that Decision. (3) Exceptional and unanticipated political and operational change in the Syrian Arab Republic has resulted in increased cooperation between the new transitional government and the OPCW. The OPCW Secretariat has also experienced an increase in the number of special mission requests related to allegations of the use of chemical weapons in other ongoing conflicts, including in the case of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. (4) The extension of the application of Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984 would allow the OPCW to finalise the objectives and activities set out in the Project Document referred to in that Decision. (5) Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984 should therefore be amended accordingly, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 In Article 5(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984, the term ‘24 months’ is replaced by the term ‘36 months’. Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. Done at Luxembourg, 4 June 2026. For the Council The President C. FITIRIS (1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1984 of 15 July 2024 in support of the Institutional Transitional Planning for Non-Routine Missions and Investigative Capacities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) (OJ L, 2024/1984, 16.7.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1984/oj). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1223/oj 1/1