26.10.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 297/29 DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION 2012/662/CFSP of 25 October 2012 in support of activities to reduce the risk of illicit trade in, and excessive accumulation of, Small Arms and Light Weapons in the region covered by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 26(2) thereof, Whereas: On 15-16 December 2005, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumu- lation of and trafficking in small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition (EU SALW Strategy). That Strategy underlined that, in order to minimise the risk posed by the illicit trade in and excessive accumulation of SALW, particular attention should be paid to the enormous accumulations of SALW stockpiled in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, and the ways by which they are disseminated in conflict zones. The EU SALW Strategy identifies among its objectives the fostering of effective multilateralism so as to forge mech- anisms, whether international, regional or within the Union and its Member States, for countering the supply and destabilising spread of SALW and their ammunition. In its Action Plan, the Strategy singles out the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as one of the regional organisations with which cooperation should be developed. In particular it contains dedicated provisions on the support to be provided to the OSCE action to combat the illicit trade in SALW and their ammunition and the destruction of OSCE Partici- pating States’ (Participating States’) surplus stocks. On 24 November 2000, the Participating States adopted the OSCE SALW Document that committed them to establishing and implementing effective national controls on transfers of SALW, including export and brokering controls. That Document also emphasises the destabilising effects that the excessive accumulation of SALW and poor stockpile management and security ) can have on national, regional and international security. It identifies destruction as the preferred method for the disposal of surplus SALW. On 26 May 2010, Participating States adopted the OSCE Plan of Action on SALW, where reference is made, inter alia, to the need to establish or reinforce the legal framework of Participating States for lawful brokering activities, to strengthen commitments on the stockpile management and security of SALW, and to strengthen Participating States’ commitment to destroy surplus and illicit SALW, and means to improve their capacity for the destruction of surplus and illicit SALW. On 23 June 2003, the Council adopted Common Position 2003/468/CFSP on the control of arms broker- ing ("), requiring Member States to take all necessary measures, including a clear legal framework for lawful brokering activities, to control brokering activities taking place within their territory, and encouraging them to consider controlling brokering activities outside of their territory carried out by brokers of their nationality resident or established in their territory. On 8 December 2008, the Council adopted Common Position 2008/944/CFSP  defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (?). Common Position 2008/944/CFSP establishes a set of criteria that guide Member States in the assessment of conventional arms export, re-export and brokering applications. It requires Member States to use their best endeavours to encourage other States, which export military technology or equipment, to apply the criteria of that Common Position, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 1. Article 1 For the purpose of promoting peace and security, and effective multilateralism at global and regional levels, the Union shall pursue the following objectives: () ¢ O] O] L 156, 25.6.2003, p. 79. L 335, 13.12.2008, p. 99.