NEWSLETTER. No. 53 / February 2014 IN FOCUS. At the end of the year 2013, on December,

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1 NEWSLETTER No. 53 / February 2014 IN FOCUS The EU-Outreach Programme s Roundtable Meeting At the end of the year 2013, on December, a group of EU experts gathered for a roundtable meeting at BAFA within the framework of the EU-Outreach Programme. The objectives of this meeting were three-fold: getting an update on the programme s developments within the six regions, reviewing the first draft of the Programme Guide and taking up intercultural cooperation issues. The roundtable meeting brought together EU practitioners from various EU Member States, representatives of the EU Commission (DG DEVCO and the Joint Research Centre), the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and the University of Liège. For the very first time, the EU-Outreach Programme welcomed Croatia previously a partner country within the EU-Outreach Programme to the group of EU Experts following its accession to the EU. This meeting provided again an excellent occa sion to engage in discussions with EU Experts actively involved in the programme to review common messages and understandings jointly developed in previous meetings in order to ensure sound and updated messages on various topics. As July 2013 marked the beginning of the third long-term programme of its kind, the roundtable meeting kicked off with a comprehensive review of the EU-Outreach Programme in Export Control of Dual-Use Items. It was emphasized that the newest long-term programme builds on the activities and achievements of its predecessors and thereby offers a long-term perspective for fruitful cooperation with all partner countries, including two new ones, Belarus and India. It was highlighted that cooperation within the EU-Outreach Programme and other projects takes place not only with the partner countries, but also with other donors of technical assistance in the area of export control. The implementing agent also informed In this issue: The EU-Outreach Programme s Roundtable Meeting, p. 1 News from the EU- Outreach Programmes, p. 4 Activities Calendar, p. 9 Points of Contact, p. 10

2 page 2 about additional projects and initiatives, including the Centres of Excellence Initiative Projects 5 and 8, as well as COARM Outreach. Experience has shown that collaboration is critical as it allows for useful synergies by pooling resources, expertise and efforts, and by ensuring that actions from different programmes and initiatives build on one another. The regional updates provided further input on the recent developments and highlighted joint achievements with the partner countries. They also provided a foresight to the next steps which are envisaged within the cooperation. Following the update session, the participants split into four working groups, the aim of which was to facilitate an exchange of experience gathered by the experts over the course of the EU- Outreach Programme. The focus of discussions this year was the first draft of the Programme Guide. This guide outlines the different tools and seminar modules that the programme is able to offer and is based on the results achieved during the last meeting in 2011 where the EU Experts identified key messages for the programme activities in the different areas: legal, licensing, customs/ enforcement, awareness. Aiming for an intensive working atmosphere, this roundtable meeting gave the EU Experts an opportunity to discuss, review and rework the guide as necessary in their respective groups, and more broadly to reflect on how the content of the programme is structured and shared with the partner countries. Each breakout group was guided by one or two moderators and tackled two points: Completeness in regard to the objective, target audience, description and methods. Comprehensibility of each module of the specific pillar. Feedback from the EU Experts highlighted that this guide has entered an important stage and can serve as a valuable and helpful tool in the implementa tion of the programme. The experts provided their input, proposing additions as well as modifications to the description of specific modules, methods and key topics. It also be came apparent in all working groups that the thematic areas and key messages are ultimately closely linked to all other pillars. Hence, depending on the partner countries needs, they have to be adapted individually. At the end of this meeting it was agreed that the updated version of the guide will be further refined with the support of the experts.

3 page 3 On the second day of the roundtable meeting, attention was turned to the aspect of intercultural competence, which is a a highly relevant part of international cooperation. A vivid presentation by a senior expert from the GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) on this topic provided EU Experts with detailed information, showcasing how unintentional inappropriate intercultural behavior might impact on the success of a programme s implementation. Another important part of this session was how to incorporate programme messages into presentations and to share information in a more effective way. The positive feedback from the EU Experts shows the importance and usefulness of these roundtable meetings. They are not only a platform for dis cussions, but also serve to ensure that all involved parties deliver a consistent and integrated message in each of the programme pillars. We would like to thank the EU Experts for their valuable contribution, ongoing support and willingness to share their experience during the roundtable meeting, all of which will undoubtedly enhance the programme s future impact. Finally, we were honoured to have been joined by representatives of the EU Commission, Mr Wolfgang Lehofer (DG DEVCO) and Ms. Andrea Viski (JRC).

4 page 4 News from the EU-Outreach Programmes Long Term Programme United Arab Emirates Govern ment and Industry Outreach On January 2014, the EU-Outreach Programme and the United Arab Emirates organized a Government and Industry Outreach event in Dubai. The government of the United Arab Emirates, represented by its Committee for Goods & Materials Subject to Import & Export Control (Executive Office), has started to update the United Arab Emirates export control legislation. In cooperation with the EU-Outreach Programme in Export Control of Dual-Use Items and the U.S. Department of State s Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS), recommendations for the amendment of the existing legislation were drafted in 2013, in particular imposing new control provisions as well as applying new control lists. The updated export control legislation has passed the intergovernmental approval process and is waiting to be signed. In line with these developments, the Executive Office suggested arranging awareness raising events in order to approach other government authorities and industry. The aim is to make them aware of the legal amendments and to provide the possibility of an exchange of views around the restructured export control process. On the first day, the attendees representing different government authorities were introduced the basic elements of the amnanded legislation, such as implementation of control lists, licensing assessment and processing as well as strategies of enforcement of the updated trade controls. Experts from different EU Member States underlined these changes, illustrating that export controls are a common responsibility which countries and companies worldwide have to comply. There fore, experts highlighted key aspects of the EU s export controls legislation and gave an insight into practical experiences in implementing these controls on a national basis. In addition, the other main addressees of the amended legislation, i.e. industry were approached on the second day of the event. Therefore this day focused on the cooperation between national authorities and industry representatives involved in the production, import or export of dual-use items. It raised awareness about industries vital role in export control of dual-use items and helped to familiarize representatives with the new provision, obligation and responsibilities of export control. Furthermore it allowed more experienced participants to consolidate their

5 page 5 knowledge and identify immanent challenges for companies in order to be compliant with the renewed legislation. Additionally, representatives from national authorities and industry representatives entered into discussion and identified possible needs for further tailoring the control provision and procedures according to the requirements of the industry. Morocco Study Visit to French Licensing Authority On January the French licensing authority Service des biens à double usage (SBDU) welcomed a Moroccan delega tion to a study visit on licensing procedures. The French experts presented the SBDU s internal structure and daily practices including the assessment of license applications, the functioning of the inter-ministerial committee as well as communication towards and with industry. Practical case studies and a visit of SBDU s offices completed the presentations and contributed to lively discussions on the different elements that need to be taken into account while developing a dual-use licensing unit and relevant procedures. Experts from Belgium and Germany complemented the French perspective by focusing on the identification of concerned industries and the compilation of a national control list. We would like to thank all involved parties - in particular our French hosts from the SBDU - for their huge support and excellent hospitality. Source: SBDU

6 page 6 Planned Activities Jordan - Coordination Meeting and Technical Discussion on further Cooperation On February 2014 a representative from the EU-Outreach Team will participate at a Coordination Meeting in Amman, Jordan, identifying further areas of cooperation. EU Outreach in the field of Conventional Arms (COARM) Czech Republic - Study Visit on Arms Export Control for Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine On January 2014, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted in the framework of the Council Decision 2012/711/ CFSP a COARM study visit on arms export controls. The study visit was dedicated to representatives from Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine in Prague, Czech Republic. The aim of the outreach event was to demonstrate and discuss national practices in the field of the control of exports of defence products with a special focus on the interagency cooperation and government-industry cooperation. Experts from various EU Member States like the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria and Romania shared their expertise during the study visit.

7 page 7 EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence projects CoE Project 5 Follow-up Visit Algeria At the beginning of the year a follow-up visit to Algeria took place in the framework of CoE project 5. The regional project team met with the Algerian National Focal Point and involved stakeholders to discuss the overall project performance. Amongst others, this included past and future project activities, the (self-)evaluation of the Algerian CBRN import/export monitoring system, potential overlaps and synergies with other CoE projects and the drafting of CBRN action plans related to import and export controls. The meeting was also attended by the UNICRI coordinator for North Africa which proved extremely helpful as the different perspectives complemented one another. Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). On the other hand, there was a special focus on the role of customs in the controlling procedure. The participants used the opportunity to share the system of import and export control of chemical goods in their own countries and in this way contributed to a fruitful debate and an interesting exchange. We want to thank all participants of the workshop for their active engagement during these two days. A special thank you also goes to all involved parties who supported us in the preparational process and during the workshop in Libreville. Their commitment was a great contribution in making the event a success. CoE Project 5 Regional Workshop in Gabon As a result of the initial visits in the region of the African Atlantique Façade in 2013, a regional workshop took place in Libreville, Gabon, on 29 and 30 January Government officials and customs officers from Gabon, Morocco, and Senegal debated actively on import and export controls of chemical items. On the one hand, the event served to give the participants a theoretical insight into the area of import and export control of CBRN items, and in particular on the import and export control of chemical goods according to the

8 page 8 EU CBRN Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence projects CoE Project 5 - Follow-Up Visit Gabon Following the regional workshop in Libreville (see above), a follow-up visit took place on 31 January 2014 with involved Gabonese stakeholders. Beside a brief introduction into future activities in the framework of CoE project 5, the participants focused on import and export control procedures of biological and chemical goods. The event was supported by the two experts, who were also involved in the regional workshop, which made it possible to cover control procedures according to the CWC as well as the role of customs. were gathered and jointly contributed to bringing things forward in the region. CoE Project 5 - Regional Workshop for Central Asia On 03 and 04 February 2014, a regional workshop for partner countries from Central Asia took place at BAFA in Eschborn, Germany. Representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan attended the event and presented their national CBRN import/export monitoring systems. The event mainly focused on import and export controls of chemical and biological items, their classification as well as related risk assessment procedures, both from a licensing and customs perspective. The participants showed a high interest in the topic and fruitful discussions took place. The participation of the UNICRI regional coordinator for Central Asia was also very helpful as all relevant stakeholders

9 page 9 Activities Calendar Contract Date Country Activity Point of Contact January CoE 5 07 Algeria CoE 5 - Follow-Up Visit Ms. Katja Philipp LTP United Arab Industry and Government Mr. Werner Knapp Emirates Outreach LTP Morocco Study Visit to French Licensing Authority Ms. Eva Werder COARM EE and Caucasus Region CoE African Atlantique Façade COARM Study Visit on Arms Export Control for Armenia, Moldova and Ukraine (Prague, Czech Republic) Regional Workshop on Import Control of Chemical Products (Gabon, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal) Mr. Werner Knapp Ms. Katja Philipp CoE 5 31 Gabon CoE 5 - Follow-Up Visit Ms. Katja Philipp February CoE Central Asia CoE 5 - Regional Workshop on CBRN Import / Export monitoring (at BAFA) LTP Georgia Legal Workshop on Georgian Secondary Legislation (Warsaw, Poland) LTP 20 Albania Courtesy Visit and Legal/ Interagency Meeting JOR&KAZ Jordan Coordination Meeting and Technical Discussion on further Cooperation Ms. Katja Philipp Mr. Werner Knapp Ms. Ivana Micic Mr. Werner Knapp

10 page 10 Points of Contact China Mr. Reimar Angersbach, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ukraine) Mr. Werner Knapp, Gulf Region, Middle East (Jordan, UAE) Mr. Werner Knapp, North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia) Ms. Eva Werder, South Asia (India, Pakistan) Mr. Holger Beutel, South East Asia (Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam) Dr. Sibylle Bauer, or South Eastern Europe (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) Ms. Ivana Micic, Centres of Excellence Project n 5 - Knowledge development and transfer of best practice on CBRN import/export monitoring implemented by BAFA in cooperation with SIPRI Ms. Katja Philipp, Katja.Philipp@bafa.bund.de, Project n 8 Prerequisite to strengthening CBRN national legal frameworks implemented by VERTIC, BAFA and UNODC Ms. Kirsten Soder, Kirsten.Soder@bafa.bund.de, COARM Mr. Werner Knapp, Werner.Knapp@bafa.bund.de, Ms. Ruxandra Ullrich, Ruxandra.Ullrich@bafa.bund.de,

11 page 11 For further information or general questions on activities regarding cooperation in export control of dual-use goods or countries please contact Ms. Irina Albrecht: or visit For editorial questions concerning the newsletter, please contact Ms. Angelika Pfafferodt: or Ms. Monica Wagner: BAFA, February 2014 Georg Pietsch, Director General, Project Team Leader Phone: BAFA Reproduction is authorised, provided the source is acknowledged.