2. The objectives of the assistance measure are the following:

(a) to strengthen the cooperation between the Union and North Macedonia in security and defence;

(b) to contribute to enhancing the security and defence capacities of the Army of North Macedonia in order to improve national security and resilience and thereby better protect the civilian population in crises and emergencies;

(c) to strengthen the capacities of North Macedonia with respect to its participation in the Union’s common security and defence policy missions and operations, and in the Rapid Deployment Capacity framework.

3. To achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2, the assistance measure shall finance the following types of equipment not designed to deliver lethal force:

(a) technologies related to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and electronic warfare;

(b) mobility and engineering vehicles;

(d) combat training equipment.

The assistance measure shall also finance related supplies and services, including technical training, where needed.

4. The duration of the assistance measure shall be 36 months from the date of adoption of this Decision.

Article 2

Financial arrangements

1. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the assistance measure shall be EUR 15 000 000.

2. All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF.

Article 3

Arrangements with the beneficiary

1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) shall make the necessary arrangements with the beneficiary to ensure its compliance with the requirements and conditions established by this Decision as a condition for the provision of support under the assistance measure.

2. The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions obliging the beneficiary to ensure:

(a) compliance of the units of the Army of North Macedonia supported under the assistance measure with relevant international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law;

(b) proper and efficient use of any assets provided under the assistance measure for the purposes for which they were provided;

(c) sufficient maintenance of any assets provided under the assistance measure to ensure their usability and operational availability over their life cycle;

(d) that any assets provided under the assistance measure are not lost or transferred to persons or entities other than those identified in those arrangements.

3. The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions on the suspension and termination of support under the assistance measure in the event of the beneficiary being found in breach of the obligations set out in paragraph 2.

Article 4

Implementation

1. The High Representative shall be responsible for ensuring the implementation of this Decision in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF and with the Integrated Methodological Framework for assessing and identifying the required measures and controls for assistance measures under the EPF.