32002E0406

Council Joint Action

of 27 May 2002

on financial support for the international negotiating process leading to the adoption of an international code of conduct against ballistic missile proliferation

(2002/406/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 14 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) On 14 May 2001 the Council adopted conclusions on missile non-proliferation.

(2) On 16 June 2001 the Göteborg European Council adopted a declaration on the prevention of proliferation of ballistic missiles, underlining its commitment to the fight against ballistic missile proliferation based on the universalisation of the international code of conduct (hereafter referred to as "the ICOC").

(3) The Union has been actively promoting the process of universalisation of the ICOC.

(4) A first meeting on the ICOC was organised by the French Government in Paris on 7 and 8 February 2002 and the Union wishes to facilitate the holding of a second meeting in Madrid, by offering financial support to that effect,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

1. In order to facilitate the international negotiating process to finalise the ICOC leading to an International Conference for its adoption no later than 2002, the European Union will contribute to the financial support for the holding of a second meeting on the ICOC in Madrid. This meeting will be chaired by the Presidency of the European Union in close coordination with the chair of the first meeting.

2. Financial support shall cover costs of organising, staging and hosting the conference, with the exception of expenses for travel and accommodation incurred by the participants.

Article 2

1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of Article 1 shall be EUR 55000.

2. The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union.

Article 3

This Joint Action shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

It shall apply until 31 December 2002.

Article 4

This Joint Action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Brussels, 27 May 2002.

For the Council

The President

M. Arias Cañete