Council Decision 2014/913/CFSPShow full title

ANNEX U.K.

1. OBJECTIVES U.K.

The Union is a strong promoter of missile non-proliferation. Its efforts in this regard include the Strategy and Common Position 2003/805/CFSP. In addition, the Council has endorsed ‘New lines for action by the European Union in combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems’, and the EU supported UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004), which has since been recalled in UNSC resolution 1977 (2010).

The Union considers the MTCR an important multilateral instrument which aims at curbing the proliferation of ballistic missile systems and related technologies and know-how through the establishment and the implementation of export control regulations on sensitive materials. 19 Member States are members of the MTCR and all Member States are implementing the MTCR export control list through Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009(1).

The Union has also strongly supported the Code from its inception and has expressed regular concern over ballistic missile proliferation. The Union considers the Code as a central transparency and confidence building measure. All Member States have subscribed to the Code and are implementing the Code in good faith.

In the past, the Union tried to overcome the remaining loopholes in the implementation of the Code and in its universality by organising workshops, expert meetings and regional awareness seminars. Those activities, which have been organised under Decision 2008/974/CFSP and implemented by the FRS, have proved their efficiency and relevance.

Encouraged by the outcome of those events, the Union has pursued its initiative and supported three aspects of the Code as follows:

(a)

universality of the Code;

(b)

implementation of the Code;

(c)

enhancement and improved functioning of the Code.

This action was undertaken under Decision 2012/423/CFSP, which allowed the development of several initiatives in support of HCoC including:

(a)

the development of a dedicated secure website;

(b)

the organisation of several side-events aimed at promoting the Code vis-à-vis non-subscribing States in Vienna, Geneva and New York;

(c)

awareness raising workshop for African and Middle Eastern Countries in Paris;

(d)

regional seminars in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Lima;

(e)

preparation of food-for-thought papers.

Decision 2012/423/CFSP has contributed to raising awareness about the Code and to its promotion vis-à-vis third countries. Through that Decision, the Union has supported Costa Rica, France, Hungary, Japan, Peru and Romania in their activities as HCoC Chairs. By raising the profile of the HCoC, it has facilitated the adherence of new members to the Code.

In view of the results achieved, and of the continued proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of delivering WMD which constitute a cause of growing concern for the international community, in particular ongoing missile programmes in the Middle-East, North-East Asia and South-East Asia, including Iran and the DPRK, the following actions will be carried out:

(a)

project 1, information and communication;

(b)

project 2, strengthening the ballistic missile non-proliferation;

(c)

project 3, universalisation of the HCoC — Outreach activities;

Going beyond the sole promotion of adherence to the Code and the MTCR, this Decision allows for the deepening of the international debate over missile proliferation and engaging new regional areas and new communities.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT U.K.

2.1. Project 1: Information and Communication U.K.

2.1.1. Objective of the project U.K.

The Code represents an important instrument for curbing the proliferation of ballistic missiles and related technologies through confidence-building and transparency measures. However, more needs to be done to support it, in particular with the aim of:

(a)

promoting the universality of the Code, and in particular the subscription to the Code by all States with ballistic missile and space capabilities;

(b)

supporting the implementation of the Code in all its aspects;

(c)

reinforcing the visibility of the Code.

2.1.2. Description of the project U.K.

The project provides for three types of activities:

(a)

preparing, designing, printing and distributing up to 1 500 leaflets describing Union support for the Code. The leaflet will also include:

(i)

a description of the HCoC;

(ii)

the objectives of the HCoC;

(iii)

a description of the annual declarations, the pre-launch notifications and the voluntary observation visits;

(iv)

the European strategy towards the HCoC and the proliferation of WMD means of delivery;

(v)

demarches to be fulfilled in order to subscribe to the Code;

(vi)

contact details for non-subscribing States;

(b)

preparing, designing, printing and distributing up to 1 000‘welcome package’ printed booklets and a USB stick for outreach activities towards non-subscribing States, also recalling obligations for subscribing States. It will also be available online, covering all the necessary information about the Code and the relevant points of contact. The ‘welcome package’ will include the leaflet described in point (a);

(c)

supporting and updating the HCoC secure Internet-based information and communication mechanism (‘electronic Immediate Central Contact’ — e-ICC), including through technical enhancement of the website in close cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2.1.3. Expected results of the project/indicators U.K.

(a)

through wide distribution of the ‘welcome package’ during the various events, greater awareness achieved amongst partners of the value added of the HCoC, and of the role of the Union;

(b)

more secure HCoC website enables improved exchange of relevant information amongst partners;

(c)

use of the ‘welcome package’ by the HCoC Chair, the Austrian Secretariat (‘Immediate Central Contact’ (‘ICC’)), the Union and other partners as necessary in their outreach activities.

2.1.4. Beneficiaries of the project U.K.

The beneficiaries of the project are both States subscribing to the HCoC and non-subscribing States.

2.2. Project 2: strengthening the ballistic missile non-proliferation U.K.

2.2.1. Purpose of the project U.K.

The continued proliferation and operational use of ballistic missiles capable of delivering WMD constitutes a cause of growing concern for the international community, in particular ongoing missiles programmes in the Middle-East, North-East Asia and South-East Asia, including Iran and the DPRK.

More generally, the project will support a range of activities to fight against the proliferation of ballistic missiles, aimed in particular at raising awareness of the threat, stepping up efforts to increase the effectiveness of multilateral instruments, building support to initiatives to address those specific challenges and helping interested countries to reinforce nationally their relevant export control regimes.

2.2.2. Description of the project U.K.

The publication of two food-for-thought papers per year (4 for the duration of the project). Possible subjects could include:

(a)

the use of the existing WMD free zones as an example and a potential framework for further initiatives banning ballistic missiles;

(b)

further multilateral steps to prevent the threat of missile proliferation and to promote disarmament efforts in the field of ballistic missiles, focusing in particular on possible confidence-building measures;

(c)

export and transit control mechanisms;

(d)

the role of Intangible Transfer of Technology (ITT) in the area of ballistic missiles.

2.2.3. Expected results of the project/indicators U.K.

(a)

Promoting multilateral efforts curbing missile proliferation including the HCoC and the MTCR increases the EU influence in the field of missile non-proliferation;

(b)

encouraging the debate on new initiatives to strengthen the Code and the MTCR and open the door for further initiatives;

(c)

fostering missile non-proliferation;

(d)

at least 4 food-for-thought papers to be published;

(e)

raising awareness about dual-use technology and knowledge transfer issues prevents unintentional transfer among Member States and increase global awareness of export control mechanism.

2.2.4. Project beneficiaries U.K.

The Union and the Member States will benefit from the food-for-thought papers; wider distribution will be decided by the HR in close consultation with Member States in the framework of the competent Council Working Party. The final decision will be based on proposals by the implementing entity in accordance with Article 2(2) of this Decision.

2.3. Project 3: Universalisation of the HCoC — Outreach activities U.K.

2.3.1. Purpose of the project U.K.

The project will raise awareness of both missile non-proliferation and the HCoC by organising several events aimed at engaging non-subscribing States. To this end, events will be organised in Vienna and New York to engage the UN delegations in the margins of relevant events.

2.3.2. Project description U.K.

The project will provide for three types of events:

(a)

Financing of four outreach events (2 in each city) in support of both the HCoC and ballistic missile non-proliferation that will take place in two cities:

(i)

in New York, in the margins of the UN General Assembly First Committee meetings or of the non-Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committees meetings;

(ii)

in Vienna, in the margins of the HCoC or other relevant activities of the UN in Vienna.

Regarding the organisation of the seminars:

(i)

each seminar will last half a day and will gather up to 80 participants from UN missions in New York and Vienna around a selected group of speakers and EU officials;

(ii)

up to 6 speakers will be invited;

(iii)

the HCoC acting Chair will be invited;

(iv)

restricted lunches or dinners aimed at engaging senior officials from selected countries led by an EU senior representative and experts will be organised and funded under this Decision.

To this end, the implementing entity will propose for each event a list of countries, some of which will be non-subscribing States. This will allow the convening of senior representatives who deal with non-proliferation issues.

(b)

Financing of three regional outreach seminars that could take place in Latin America (e.g. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico or a non-member in the Caribbean region), the Middle East (e.g. the Gulf countries, Bahrain, Qatar or Saudi Arabia) and Asia (e.g. Indonesia or Vietnam). The choice of the location will be made in agreement with the HR, in close consultation with Member States in the framework of the competent Council Working Party. The seminar will be dedicated to trends in missile proliferation and a focus on regional issues and will address the HCoC and practical information about being a subscribing State. Subscribing States of the region will be invited at governmental level in order to share their experience with non-subscribing States. The HCoC acting Chair will also be invited to deliver a statement and chair the session. The attendance could include officials, diplomats, military staff, international organisation representatives, EU representatives, academics, etc.

Regarding the organisation of the seminars:

(i)

each seminar will last one day;

(ii)

up to 50 persons could be invited to attend;

(iii)

the HCoC acting Chair will be invited to deliver a statement.

(c)

Up to 10 targeted expert missions for non-subscribing States. They will mainly target the relevant industries, scientific community, export control experts and civil society representatives. In coordination with the European Union Centres of Excellence, two experts on ballistic missile non-proliferation from the implementing agency and an EU expert will conduct field missions in targeted countries. Possible destinations could include, but are not limited to Algeria, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Thailand. The final list of countries will be decided in close cooperation with the HR, as well as the opportunity of joint demarches with the UN 1540 Committee outreach efforts. The attendance could include officials, diplomats, military staff, academics, industry, researchers, etc. from the visited country. Priority will be given to officials and political deciders, diplomats, relevant military staff, etc.

Regarding the organisation of the seminars:

(i)

each seminar will last one day;

(ii)

up to 25 persons could be invited;

(iii)

3 experts will be invited;

(iv)

the HCoC acting Chair will be invited.

2.3.3. Expected results of the project/ indicators U.K.

(a)

At least 4 outreach events to be organised in New York and Vienna;

(b)

the 3 regional events have gathered an important diplomatic and academic community and allowed new perspectives on adhesions;

(c)

10 expert's missions were conducted in order to enhance the universalisation of the HCoC. Those missions have gathered at least 20 decision-makers and officials and increased the level of commitment from the officials and decision-makers in the visited countries;

(d)

raising awareness of missile proliferation trends and more particularly on the Code with regard to non-subscribing States promote discussions on further efforts to curb missile proliferation;

(e)

the project fosters the debate within and outside the Union on future initiatives;

(f)

the project raises the profile of missile proliferation as a strategic challenge.

2.3.4. Beneficiaries of the project U.K.

The main focus of these events will be non-subscribing States, although subscribing States might be associated with some events for policy reasons. Participants should be primarily governmental experts and senior officials.

The final choice of the beneficiary States will be made in consultation between the implementing entity and the HR in close consultation with Member States in the framework of the competent Council Working Party.

3. DURATION U.K.

The total estimated duration of the implementation of the projects is 30 months.

4. IMPLEMENTING ENTITY U.K.

(a)

The FRS will be entrusted with the technical implementation of the projects;

(b)

co-funding will depend on the FRS;

(c)

the implementing entity will prepare:

(i)

quarterly reports on the implementation of the projects;

(ii)

a final report not later than one month after the end of the implementation of the projects;

(d)

reports will be sent to the HR;

(e)

the FRS will ensure the visibility of the Union contribution, appropriate to its size.

5. THIRD-PARTY PARTICIPANTS U.K.

The projects will be financed in their entirety under this Decision. Experts from States subscribing to the Code or from non-subscribing States may be considered as third-party participants. They will work in accordance with the standard rules of the FRS.

(1)

Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (OJ L 134, 29.5.2009, p. 1).