Legal provisions of COM(2016)447 - Amendment of Regulation 230/2014 establishing an instrument contributing to stability and peace

Please note

This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.


Article 1

Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 is amended as follows:

(1)in Article 1(2), the following subparagraph is added:

‘Where Union assistance is provided to the security sector actors, this may also include military actors under exceptional circumstances as provided for in Article 3a in the context of a wider security sector reform process or capacity building in support of development and security for development in third countries, in line with the overarching objective of achieving sustainable development.’;

(2)the following Article is inserted:

‘Article 3a

Capacity building of military actors in support of development and security for development

1. In order to contribute to sustainable development, which requires the achievement of stable, peaceful and inclusive societies, Union assistance under this Regulation may be used to build the capacity of military actors in partner countries, under the exceptional circumstances as set out in paragraph 3, to deliver development activities and security for development activities.

2. Assistance pursuant to this Article may cover in particular the provision of capacity building programmes in support of development and security for development, including training, mentoring and advice, as well as the provision of equipment, infrastructure improvements and services directly related to that assistance.

3. Assistance pursuant to this Article shall be provided only:

(a)where requirements cannot be met by recourse to non-military actors to adequately reach Union objectives under this Regulation and there is a threat to the existence of functioning State institutions or to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and State institutions cannot cope with that threat; and

(b)where a consensus exists between the partner country concerned and the Union that military actors are key for preserving, establishing or re-establishing the conditions essential for sustainable development, including in crises and fragile or destabilised contexts and situations.

4. Union assistance pursuant to this Article shall not be used to finance capacity building of military actors for purposes other than the delivery of development activities and security for development activities. In particular, it shall not be used to finance:

(a)recurrent military expenditure;

(b)the procurement of arms and ammunition, or any other equipment designed to deliver lethal force;

(c)training which is designed to contribute specifically to the fighting capacity of the armed forces.

5. When designing and implementing measures pursuant to this Article, the Commission shall promote ownership by the partner country. It shall also develop the necessary elements and the good practices required to ensure sustainability in the medium and long term and shall promote the rule of law and established international law principles.

6. The Commission shall establish appropriate risk assessment, monitoring and evaluation procedures for measures pursuant to this Article.’;

(3)in Article 7, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1.   Union assistance pursuant to Article 3, and to Article 3a as appropriate, shall be provided through exceptional assistance measures and interim response programmes.’;

(4)in Article 8, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1.   Thematic strategy papers shall constitute the general basis for the implementation of assistance pursuant to Articles 4 and 5, and to Article 3a as appropriate. Thematic strategy papers shall provide a framework for cooperation between the Union and the partner countries or regions concerned.’;

(5)in Article 10, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1.   The Commission shall ensure that measures adopted under this Regulation in relation to the fight against terrorism and organised crime, as well as measures covered under Article 3a, are implemented in accordance with international law, including human rights law and international humanitarian law.’;

(6)in Article 13, the following paragraph is added:

‘4.   A further amount of EUR 100 000 000 shall be added to the financial envelope referred to in paragraph 1 and shall be allocated to measures falling under Article 3a.’.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.