# Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1298 of 31 July 2019 in support of an Africa-China-Europe dialogue and cooperation on preventing the diversion of arms and ammunition in Africa, Introduction: Introductory text

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1298
of 31 July 2019
in support of an Africa-China-Europe dialogue and cooperation on preventing the diversion of arms and ammunition in Africa
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 31(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) entered into force on 24 December 2014, and all Member States are party to it. The ATT aims to establish the highest possible common international standards to regulate the legal trade in conventional weapons and to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their diversion.
(2)
On 19 November 2018, the Council adopted the EU Strategy against illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons and their Ammunition ‘Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens’ (the ‘Strategy’). The full and effective implementation of the 2001 UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects is the main objective of the Strategy. The Strategy states that the EU will continue to promote responsible and effective arms export control and that it will continue supporting the universalisation and implementation of the ATT. The Strategy also states that the EU will continue to support the African Union and relevant regional economic communities in their efforts against the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition.
(3)
In January 2017, the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union adopted the ‘African Union Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by Year 2020’ thereby committing Member States of the African Union to: curb the illegal inflow and circulation of illicit arms; impede access to arms by rebels/insurgents; and cut links with suppliers and recipients of illicit arms, including imposing bans, in line with the ATT.
(4)
In its conclusions on an EU Strategy for China of 18 July 2016, the Council supported the establishment of regular and substantial EU dialogue with China to seek, in conjunction with Member States, greater common ground on disarmament, non-proliferation, counterterrorism, migration and cyber-security.
(5)
On 30 June 2018, the third United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action against illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons adopted an outcome document in which States renew their commitment to preventing and combating the diversion of small arms and light weapons. States reaffirm their willingness to pursue international cooperation and to reinforce regional cooperation, through improved coordination, consultation, information exchange and operational cooperation, involving relevant regional and sub-regional organizations, as well as law enforcement, border control and export and import licensing authorities. States also commit to exchanging and, in accordance with States' national legal frameworks and security requirements, applying experiences, lessons learned and best practices relating to small arms and light weapons export, import and transit control, including certification processes and end-user certificates.
(6)
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development affirms that combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is necessary for the achievement of many sustainable development goals, including those relating to peace, justice and strong institutions, poverty reduction, economic growth, health, gender equality and safe cities. Therefore, in Sustainable development Goal 16.4, all States have committed to significantly reducing illicit financial and arms flows.
(7)
On 27 February 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/121/CFSP, in support of activities to promote an EU-China-Africa dialogue and cooperation on conventional arms control. That project was successfully implemented by Saferworld, but more efforts in this field are needed to reach the objectives set out in that Decision.
(8)
Since 2008, the Council has adopted eleven Decisions in support of outreach for responsible arms export control in accordance with the ATT and with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, but engagement with China on this topic has been limited,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2019/1298/introduction (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2019-1298/introduction
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.