(1)

In accordance with Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 (1), the European Peace Facility (EPF) was established 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, pursuant to Article 1(2) 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)

In the Brdo Declaration of 6 October 2021, the leaders of the Union and its Member States, in consultation with Western Balkans leaders, called for the further development of Western Balkans partners’ capabilities through the EPF.

(3)

The conclusions of the Political and Security Committee of 17 March 2022 on the strategic orientations of the EPF for 2022 retained as a key priority for this period an assistance measure for bilateral support to a Western Balkans country.

(4)

On 21 March 2022, the Council approved the Strategic Compass with the objective of the Union becoming a stronger and more capable security provider, including through the increased use of the EPF in support of partners’ defence capabilities, among others in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(5)

The Union repeatedly reiterated its commitment to the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including in the European Council conclusions in March and June 2022, underlining the need for stability and the full functioning of the country to allow it to implement all key reforms, including constitutional and electoral reforms, and to advance decisively on its European path.

(6)

Since their creation in 2005, the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (‘AFBiH’) have played an essential stabilising role as one of the most successful State institutions in maintaining a safe and secure environment in the country. The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina reiterated, in his 61st report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the need to maintain the focus of defence reforms enabling the country to take the lead in preserving peace and security. This entails strengthening the AFBiH in particular at the current juncture, which is marked by political tensions and divisive rhetoric.

(7)

The purpose of this measure is to improve the capacities of the AFBiH, contribute in a balanced way to strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s ownership of its processes and increase military interoperability with Union capabilities with a view to increasing the AFBiH’s participation in future missions and operations under the common security and defence policy (CSDP), without prejudice to any other possible support funded by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or other international partners.

(8)

The equipment provided will improve the security and deployment conditions of the AFBiH and upgrade a limited number of operational capabilities, specifically chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) capabilities and defensive and early-warning capabilities. By increasing the capacity of the tactical support brigade, the assistance measure will also allow for better protection of the civilian population and a swift and sustainable deployment of the NATO designated battalion, whether as part of a Union CSDP mission or operation, or as part of another format under the auspices of, inter alia, the United Nations (UN), NATO or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), or as part of military field-training exercises

(9)

On 29 June 2022, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (‘the High Representative’) received a request from Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Union to assist the AFBiH further with the procurement of key equipment to strengthen their capacity.

(10)

Upon completion of the assistance measure, the High Representative will conduct an evaluation of its impact, as well as on the management and use of the equipment provided. This exercise will inform a lessons-learned process which will be aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the assistance measure and its consistency with the overall Union strategy and policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(11)

Assistance measures are to be implemented taking into account the principles and requirements set out in Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, and 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.

(12)

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, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law,