L 99/60 Official Journal of the European Union 17.4.2003 (Acts adopted pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union) COUNCIL DECISION 2003/276/CESP of 14 April 2003 concerning the implementation of Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP with a view to a European Union contribution to the destruction of ammunition for small arms and light weapons in Albania THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, (6)  The European Union therefore intends to offer financial Having regard to Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP of 12 July 2002 on the European Union's contribution to combating the desta- bilising accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons and repealing Joint Action 1999/34/CFSP ('), and in particular Article 6 thereof, in conjunction with the second indent of Article 23(2) of the Treaty on European Union, Whereas: (1)  In Common Position 97/357|CESP of 2 June 1997 on Albania (%) the European Union expressed its intention to help Albania to promote the democratic process, the return to political stability and internal security. The excessive and uncontrolled accumulation and spread of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammu- nition poses a threat to peace and security and reduces the prospects for sustainable development; this is acutely the case in Albania. 2)  In pursuing the objectives set out in Article 1 of Joint Action 2002/589/CFSP, the European Union envisages operating within the relevant international fora and in a regional context, as appropriate, to render assistance through international organisations, programmes and agencies as well as regional arrangements. (3)  The Albanian Ministry of Defence has identified a large amount of SALW ammunition, surplus to their require- ments or recovered from the public. Much of the ammu- nition is incorrectly packaged and stored in inap- propriate locations and conditions. (4)  The NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA), under the terms of the Partnership for Peace Trust Fund, is managing a project aimed at the consolidation and demilitarisation ~ of surplus SALW  ammunition, amounting to a total of 11 665 tonnes, during a period of four years. (5)  The Commission has agreed to be entrusted with the implementation of this Decision. () OJL 191, 19.7.2002, p. 1. () OJL153,11.6.1997, p. 4. assistance to the NAMSA project in accordance with Title I of Joint Action 2002/589/CESP. (7 The Commission will ensure an adequate visibility of the contribution of the EU to the project, including by appropriate measures taken by NAMSA, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 1. The European Union shall contribute to the destruction of surplus SALW ammunition in Albania. 2. For this purpose, the European Union shall provide finan- cial support to the NAMSA project aimed at the consolidation and demilitarisation of surplus SALW ammunition. 3. The Commission shall be entrusted with the implementa- tion of this Decision. To that end, the Commission shall conclude a financing agreement with NAMSA on the condi- tions for use of the European Union contribution, which will take the form of a grant. Amongst other things, this grant will be used to cover, over a period of 12 months, salaries, travel expenses, supplies and equipment necessary for the destruction of surplus SALW ammunition in Albania. The financing agree- ment will stipulate that NAMSA shall ensure visibility of the European Union contribution to the project, appropriate to its size. Atticle 2 1. The financial reference amount for the purpose referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 820 000. 2. The management of the expenditure financed by the amount specified in paragraph 1 shall be subject to the Community procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union.