24.3.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 87/49 DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION 2012/166/CFSP of 23 March 2012 in support of activities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 26(2), Whereas: (1) On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (hereinafter the ‘EU Strategy’), Chapter III of which contains a list of measures to combat such prolif- eration. (20  The EU Strategy underlines the crucial role of the Chemical Weapons Convention (hereinafter the ‘CWC) and of the OPCW in creating a world free of chemical weapons. As part of the EU Strategy, the Union has committed itself to working towards universal adherence to key disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, including the CWC. The objectives of the EU Strategy are complementary to the objectives pursued by the OPCW, in the context of the latter’s responsibility for the implementation of the CWC. (3)  On 22 November 2004, the Council adopted Joint Action 2004/797|CFSP on support for OPCW activities in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (1), followed on its expiry by Joint Action 2005/913/CESP (), which in turn was followed by Joint  Action  2007/185/CFSP ().  Joint  Action 2007/185/CFSP was  followed by  Decision 2009/569/CESP (¥), which expired on 3 December 2011. (4)  The continuation of such intensive and targeted assistance from the Union to the OPCW is necessary in the context of the active implementation of Chapter III of () O] L 349, 25.11.2004, p. 63. () O] L 331, 17.12.2005, p. 34. () O] L 85, 27.3.2007, p. 10. (4 OJ L 197, 29.7.2009, p. 96. the EU Strategy. There is a need for further activities promoting the full implementation of the CWC as well as activities enhancing the preparedness of States Parties to the CWC (hereinafter ‘States Parties) to prevent and respond to attacks involving toxic chemicals, inter- national cooperation in the field of chemical activities, and the ability of the OPCW to adapt to developments in the field of science and technology. Measures related to the universalisation of the CWC should continue and be adapted to and targeted at the declining number of States not Parties to the CWC, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 1. For the purpose of giving immediate and practical appli- cation to some elements of the EU Strategy, the Union shall support activities of the OPCW, with the following objectives: — to enhance the capacities of States Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the CWC, — to enhance the preparedness of States Parties to prevent and respond to attacks involving toxic chemicals, — to enhance international cooperation in the field of chemical activities, — to support the ability of the OPCW to adapt to devel- opments in the field of science and technology, — to promote universality by encouraging States not Parties to join the CWC. 2. In this context, the Union-supported activities of the projects of the OPCW, which are in compliance with the measures of the EU Strategy, shall be the following: