L 173/54 Official Journal of the European Union 26.6.2013 COUNCIL DECISION 2013/320/CFSP of 24 June 2013 in support of physical security and stockpile management activities to reduce the risk of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in Libya and its region THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 26(2) and 31(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: After the popular uprising in Libya in February 2011 and the ensuing armed conflict, Libya is challenged by a massive volume of stockpiles of conventional weapons and ammunition, including large numbers of unser- viceable and hazardous items. The uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and ammunition has fuelled insecurity in Libya, in neigh- bouring countries and in the broader region, exacerbating conflict and undermining post-conflict peace building and, thus, posing a serious threat to peace and security. Following up on its support to the Libyan people during and after the conflict, the Union is committed to further cooperate with Libya on a wide range of issues, including security issues, and to support the transition process to democracy, sustainable peace and security. On 15 and 16 December 2005, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumu- lation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition. That Strategy acknowledges that the abundance of stocks of SALW and ammunition makes such arms easily obtainable by civilians, criminals, terrorists and combatants alike and stresses the need to pursue preventive action to tackle the illegal supply of conven- tional weapons and their demand. It also singles out Africa as the continent most affected by the impact of internal conflicts aggravated by the destabilising influx of SALW. On 23 May 2012, Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed the Khartoum Declaration On the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons across the Neighbouring Countries of Western Sudan. In that Declaration, Libya and the other signatories committed themselves, inter alia, to strengthening national capacities and institutions in order to develop and implement comprehensive SALW control strategies, National Action Plans and inter- ventions, including physical security and stockpile management  ("PSSM") of State-held SALW and ammunition, in accordance with international standards. The Khartoum Declaration calls upon regional and inter- national organisations to provide technical and financial support in coordination with the international community to implement the outcomes of the conference held in Khartoum on 22 and 23 May 2012 and all subsequent activities and initiatives to address the SALW issue in each country. On 18 June 2004, Libya ratified the Protocol against the Mllicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The German Agency for International Cooperation, Deutsche Gesellschaft fiir internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH ("GIZ"), is in the process of establishing a project on conventional arms control in Libya. On 2 May 2012, GIZ and the Libyan Mine Action Centre, as part of the Ministry of Defence, agreed on a programme outline on Mine Action and Conventional Arms Control. The overall Programme on Conventional Arms Control in Libya (the "Programme") consists of two specific modules and is co-financed by the Union and the German Federal Foreign Office. It is necessary to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, Libyan ownership in implementing PSSM activities, in line with the core principles of national ownership and effective empowerment of local partners. Accordingly, the Programme seeks to involve relevant Libyan stake- holders, including, as appropriate, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces and other relevant actors, in PSSM activities. GIZ will provide operational support and technical advice to the key partners of the Programme. The Programme acknowledges the current dynamics in Libya and the necessity to involve all stakeholders and potential national partners from the outset. It aims at forging partnerships with international non-governmental organisations specialised in mine action and PSSM issues that have already proven their operational capabilities in Libya. It also places emphasis on fostering regional cooperation with neighbouring countries. The Union considers that financial assistance to GIZ would contribute to reducing the risks related to the potential illicit spread of conventional weapons and ammunition in and from Libya and the broader region,