L 187/48 Official Journal of the European Union 17.7.2012 COUNCIL DECISION 2012/392/CFSP of 16 July 2012 on the European Union CSDP mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 28, Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1)~ On 21 March 2011, the Council welcomed the European Union Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel, underlining that the Union has a longstanding interest in reducing insecurity and improving devel- opment in the Sahel region. More recently, the intensifi- cation of terrorist actions and the consequences of the conflict in Libya have increased the urgency of protecting Union citizens and interests in the region and preventing the extension of those threats to the Union, while helping to reduce regional security threats. (2)  On 23 March 2012, the Council approved the Crisis Management Concept for a possible common security and defence policy (CSDP) civilian mission in the Sahel. (3)  On 1 June 2012, the Prime Minister of Niger addressed to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) an invitation letter with regard to the planned CSDP mission, welcoming the Union’s CSDP deployment with the aim of reinforcing the capacities of the Nigerien Security Forces, in particular to fight terrorism and organised crime in an effective, coherent and coordinated manner. (4)  The Watch-Keeping Capability should be activated for EUCAP Sahel Niger. (5)  EUCAP Sahel Niger will be conducted in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Mission The Union hereby establishes a European Union CSDP mission in Niger to support the capacity building of the Nigerien security actors to fight terrorism and organised crime (EUCAP Sahel Niger). Atticle 2 Objectives In the context of the implementation of the European Union Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel, EUCAP Sahel Niger shall aim at enabling the Nigerien authorities to implement the security dimension of their own Strategy for Security and Development, as well as at improving regional coordination in tackling common security challenges. In particular, EUCAP SAHEL Niger shall aim at contributing to the development of an integrated, multidisciplinary, coherent, sustainable, and human rights-based approach among the various Nigerien security actors in the fight against terrorism and organised crime. Article 3 Tasks 1. In order to fulfil the objectives set out in Article 2, EUCAP Sahel Niger shall: (a) advise and assist in the implementation of the security dimension of the Nigerien Strategy for Security and Devel- opment at national level, complementary to other actors, (b) support the development of comprehensive regional and international coordination in the fight against terrorism and organised crime, (c) strengthen the rule of law through the development of the criminal investigation capacities, and in this context develop and implement adequate training programmes, (d) support the development of Nigerien Security Forces’ sustainability, (e) contribute to the identification, planning and implemen- tation of projects in the security field. 2. EUCAP Sahel Niger shall initially focus on the activities mentioned in paragraph 1 which contribute to improving the control of the territory of Niger, including in coordination with the Nigerien Armed Forces. 3. EUCAP Sahel Niger shall not carry out any executive function. Article 4 Chain of command and structure 1.  EUCAP Sahel Niger shall have a unified chain of command as a crisis management operation. 2. EUCAP Sahel Niger shall have its Headquarters in Niamey. 3. EUCAP Sahel Niger shall be structured as follows: (a) Head of Mission;