Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1248

Contents

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 41(2) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Whereas:

(1)Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509^note establishes the European Peace Facility (EPF) for the financing by Member States of Union actions under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) 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 is to be used for the financing of assistance measures such as actions to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters.

(2)The northern regions of the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, have been experiencing deteriorating security conditions in connection with the crisis affecting the central Sahel.

(3)In the light of the deteriorating security environment, it is necessary and important to strengthen the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire in order to enable and support stabilisation efforts in Côte d’Ivoire. In that context, and fully cognisant of the fact that the situation requires an integrated response, ensuring long-term peace and security in Côte d’Ivoire is a key priority for the Union.

(4)On 3 August 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/1599^note, which established a European Union Security and Defence Initiative in support of West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea (the ‘Initiative’), namely Benin and Ghana, under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). On 25 September 2023, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2023/2066^note, which extended the Initiative to Côte d’Ivoire and Togo. The strategic objective of the Initiative is to assist West African countries of the Gulf of Guinea in which the Initiative is established in developing the adequate capabilities within their security and defence forces to contain and respond to the pressure exercised by non-state armed groups.

(5)On 13 March 2024, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) received a request from Côte d’Ivoire for the Union to assist the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire with the procurement of key equipment to strengthen their operational capabilities to secure land borders and to counter non-state armed groups which are destabilising the country and the whole West Africa region.

(6)Assistance measures are to 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^note, and in accordance with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.

(7)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 Charter of the United Nations, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law,

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