Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28, Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

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

Whereas:

On 16 July 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/392/CFSP^f1.

On 22 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/482/CFSP^f2 which extended the application of Decision 2012/392/CFSP until 15 July 2016 and provided a financial reference amount until 15 July 2015.

On 23 April 2015, the European Council committed to strengthening the Union's presence at sea, to preventing illegal migration flows and to reinforcing internal solidarity and responsibility. It committed to increasing support to Niger, among others, to monitor and control the land borders and routes, building on current CSDP operations in the region. Following the Interim Strategic Review, the Political and Security Committee on 13 May 2015 agreed on a new line of operation combining engagement in Niamey with a permanent presence in Agadez.

Decision 2012/392/CFSP should be amended in order to extend the period covered by the financial reference amount until 15 July 2016. Within three months of the adoption of this Decision, this financial reference amount will be revised following the further operational planning concerning the two-pronged approach combining enhanced engagement in Niamey with a permanent presence in Agadez.

EUCAP Sahel Niger will be conducted in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union's external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: