(1)

Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 (1) established a European Peace Facility (EPF) for the financing by Member States of Union actions under the common foreign and security policy to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security pursuant to Article 21(2), point (c), of the Treaty. In particular, in accordance with Article 1(2), point (b)(i), of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, the EPF can finance actions to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters.

(2)

Bosnia and Herzegovina remains one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world, primarily as a result of the 1992–1995 conflict. The presence of mines and unexploded ordnance continues to pose a major problem to the country’s security, is a direct threat to the population and severely hampers post-conflict rehabilitation and economic recovery. Such items also pose a threat to deployed common security and defence policy (CSDP) and other EU personnel.

(3)

The Dayton Peace Accords, Annex 1-A on Military Aspects of the Peace Agreement, and the Commander EUFOR’s Instructions to the Parties, Change 25, Chapter 5, provide for an obligation for the Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities with regard to mine clearing. The Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines countermine actions as one of the five main missions of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH). The AFBiH is the largest demining organisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina; their standard operating procedures have been established with a view to mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance and UXO risk-awareness training programmes. They have been harmonised with both the Standard of BiH for Mine and UXO Clearance and the relevant international standards, including the International Mine Action Standards.

(4)

The 1 July 2021 Conclusions of the Political and Security Committee on European Peace Facility strategic orientations for July – December 2021 retained as a key priority for that period an Assistance Measure to support AFBiH. The purpose of the Assistance Measure is to improve the capacities of the AFBiH, with a view to using those capacities in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s participation in CSDP military missions and without prejudice to any other demining support funded by the European Union, and humanitarian demining in general.

(5)

In his regular Operation Althea six-monthly report, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) has consistently underlined the need for assistance to the Demining Battalion of the AFBiH.

(6)

On 9 September 2021, on the presentation of the 36th six-monthly report on Operation EUFOR Althea, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) noted the continuing urgent need to find a solution to improve the operational capability of the Demining Battalion of the AFBiH. To that end, the PSC invited the High Representative to present proposals for consideration, including proposals under the EPF.

(7)

On 18 October 2021, the Council adopted conclusions on Bosnia and Herzegovina/Operation EUFOR Althea urging the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the international community, to strengthen their efforts with regard to the further disposal of surplus ammunition, weapons and explosives, and to humanitarian demining.

(8)

By letter of 8 January 2020 addressed to EUFOR Commander, the Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina requested urgent support for the AFBiH in the form of key equipment for demining, pointing to the advanced obsolescence of the existing material and the impossibility to comply with the set objective of fully demining the country by 2027.

(9)

In its letter of 7 October 2021 addressed to the High Representative, the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina renewed its request to the Union to support the AFBiH with the procurement of key equipment for demining with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of demining activities carried out by the AFBiH.

(10)

The Assistance Measure will be implemented taking into account the principles and requirements set out in Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, in particular compliance with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP (2), and in accordance with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.

(11)

The Council reaffirms its determination to protect, promote and fulfil human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic principles, and to strengthen the rule of law and good governance in compliance with the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international law, in particular international human rights and international humanitarian law,