COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2020/755

of 8 June 2020

amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/2383 on the Union support for the International Atomic Energy Agency activities in the areas of nuclear security and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28(1) and Article 31(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)	On 21 December 2016 the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2016/2383 (1), which provides for a 36-month implementation period from the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in that Decision, for the activities referred to in Article 1 thereof.

(2)	The financing agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was signed on 15 June 2017 and, therefore, expires on 14 June 2020.

(3)

On 8 May 2020, the IAEA requested an extension of the implementation period and of the contracting deadline of Decision (CFSP) 2016/2383 from 36 to 42 months, until 14 December 2020. The requested extension is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the temporary suspension of all non-critical travel and meetings until 1 June 2020, including those to be held in Vienna, which require the participation of non-resident experts.

(4)	The continuation of the activities referred to in Article 1 of Decision (CFSP) 2016/2383 can be performed without any financial resource implication until 14 December 2020.

(5)	Decision (CFSP) 2016/2383 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Article 5(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2016/2383 is replaced by the following:

‘This Decision shall expire on 14 December 2020.’.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 8 June 2020.

For the Council

The President

A. METELKO-ZGOMBIĆ

(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2383 of 21 December 2016 on the Union support for the International Atomic Energy Agency activities in the areas of nuclear security and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (OJ L 352, 23.12.2016, p. 74).