Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 215 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 of 27 May 2016 concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and repealing Decision 2013/183/CFSP^f1,

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

Whereas:

Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509^f2 gives effect to measures provided for in Decision (CFSP) 2016/849.

On 11 September 2017, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2375 (2017) (‘UNSCR’) in which it expressed the gravest concern at the nuclear test of 2 September 2017 by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The UNSC reaffirmed that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons constitutes a threat to international peace and security, and imposed new measures against the DPRK. These measures further reinforce the restrictive measures imposed by UNSCRs 1718 (2006), 1874 (2009), 2087 (2013), 2094 (2013), 2270 (2016), 2321 (2016), 2356 (2017) and 2371 (2017).

The UNSC imposed new prohibitions with regard to imports of, inter alia, DPRK textiles, exports of petroleum products to DPRK, joint ventures and in the maritime sector.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/1838^f3 amended Decision (CFSP) 2016/849 in order to give effect to the new measures imposed by UNSCR 2375 (2017).

These measures fall within the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, in particular with a view to ensuring their uniform application in all Member States, regulatory action at the level of the Union is necessary.

Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: