Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

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

Whereas:

In its conclusions of 20 June 2016, the Council called for the possibilities for the regionalisation of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions in the Sahel region to be further examined as early as possible.

On 15 May 2017, the Council approved a Concept of Operations on Regionalisation of CSDP action in the Sahel.

The Concept of Operations on Regionalisation of CSDP action in the Sahel provides that the strategic objectives of regionalisation of CSDP actions in the Sahel region are: to support cross-border cooperation in the Sahel, to support regional cooperation structures, in particular those of the G5 Sahel countries, and in this context, to enhance national capacities of the G5 Sahel countries.

In the first phase, a CSDP security network in the Sahel region should be set up and a needs assessment should be conducted with a view to the development of a CSDP Regional Implementation Plan to be agreed upon by the Member States.

In order to further those purposes, a Regional Coordination Cell, including Internal Security and Defence Experts (ISDE) in G5 Sahel countries, should be established within EUCAP Sahel Mali.

Council Decision 2014/219/CFSP^f1 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: