COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2023/2066

of 25 September 2023

amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea

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 29 June 2023, the Council approved a Crisis Management Concept for a possible security and defence partnership with West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea. That concept is based on an integrated approach for a security and defence partnership with Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, including the establishment of a mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), namely the European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (the ‘Initiative’), complemented by the deployment of military advisors in Union delegations, in conjunction with assistance measures under the European Peace Facility for the provision of military equipment and in synergy with security-related projects.

(2)	On 3 August 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 (1), which established the Initiative in Benin and Ghana, based on invitations received from those countries.

(3)	By letter dated 17 July 2023, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Togo invited the Union to deploy the Initiative in its territory.

(4)	By letter dated 20 July 2023, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire invited the Union to deploy the Initiative in its territory.

(5)	The Initiative should therefore also be established in Côte d’Ivoire and Togo.

(6)	Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 1

Establishment

1. The Union shall conduct a Mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) with the strategic objective to assist the West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea in which that Mission is established in developing the adequate capabilities within their security and defence forces to contain and respond to the pressure exercised by terrorist armed groups.

2. The Mission referred to in paragraph 1 shall be named “European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea” (the “Initiative”).

3. The Initiative is hereby established in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo.’.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply from 16 August 2023.

Done at Brussels, 25 September 2023.

For the Council

The President

H. GÓMEZ HERNÁNDEZ

(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599 of 3 August 2023 on a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (OJ L 196, 4.8.2023, p. 25).