COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2022/1506

of 9 September 2022

on a European Union action to support the development of information technology tools to improve the dissemination of information on Union restrictive measures

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28(1) thereof,

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

Whereas:

(1) Restrictive measures adopted by the Council on the basis of Article 29 of the Treaty on European Union as well as of Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union are an essential foreign policy tool for the Union’s external action.

(2) The wide dissemination of, and easy access to, information on restrictive measures in force in the Union as well as information exchange between the Member States, stakeholders and the Commission are an essential condition of their efficacy.

(3) Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has shown the urgent need to launch an action to better enable Member States and operators to implement the restrictive measures adopted since 24 February 2022. Increased demands on effective implementation of restrictive measures, new requirements set by the unprecedented scope and nature of restrictive measures, and the need for secure communications and close cooperation between Member States, stakeholders and the Commission for their implementation require new or improved and more secure information technology tools.

(4) An operational action under the common foreign and security policy should support the development of the required applications and databases as a matter of urgency,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Objective and scope

1.   The Union shall support the development of the applications and databases necessary to provide information on restrictive measures in force in the Union and to ensure easy access to such information, in particular, by the operators participating in their implementation, as well as the development of information technology tools to allow secure information exchanges between the Member States, stakeholders and the Commission.

2.   These upgraded information technology tools shall, in particular, support the implementation of reporting obligations of Member States without creating additional ones. Reporting arrangements with significant consequences for national administrations shall be subject to consultations within the Council, as appropriate.

Article 2

Financial arrangements

1.   The financial reference amount for the implementation of the action referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 450 000.

2.   All expenditure shall be managed by the Commission, in accordance with the rules and procedures applicable to the general budget of the Union.

Article 3

Commercially sensitive information

In developing the upgraded sanctions information technology tools, the Commission shall ensure that commercially sensitive information is properly protected through appropriate technical safeguards.

Article 4

Entry into force and duration

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply until 31 December 2024.

Done at Brussels, 9 September 2022.

For the Council

The President

J. SÍKELA