Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular 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:

On 16 July 2012, the Council adopted Decision 2012/392/CFSP^f1 establishing a European Union CSDP mission in Niger to support the capacity building of the Nigerien security actors to fight terrorism and organised crime (EUCAP Sahel Niger).

On 18 September 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/1247^f2 extending EUCAP Sahel Niger and providing it with a financial reference amount until 30 September 2020.

On 25 June 2018, in its conclusions on Sahel/Mali, the Council underlined the importance of the regionalisation of CSDP in the Sahel with the aim of strengthening, as appropriate, the civilian and military support to cross-border cooperation, the regional cooperation structures, in particular those of the G5 Sahel, and the capacity and ownership of the G5 countries to address the security challenges in the region.

On 15 February 2019, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania welcomed the envisaged deployment of EUCAP Sahel Niger in support of the G5 Sahel and of Mauritania's national capabilities.

On 18 February 2019, the Council approved a joint civil-military Concept of Operations on Regionalisation of CSDP action in the Sahel.

Council Decision 2012/392/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly.

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: