The European Commission announced in its Council Joint Action notification, published in the OJ on the 15th May 2008, a series of workshops in accordance with the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The action 2008/368/CFSP dates back to 14th May 2008 and is in support of the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) and in the framework of the implementation of the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. (L 127/78).

On 12th December 2003, the European Council adopted the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In accordance with the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the EU supports the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540. This support has given rise to a series of thematic workshops in several targeted subregions.

The aim of the workshops shall be twofold:

• Enhancing the capacity and skills of officials in targeted States who are responsible for managing the export control process in all its dimensions, so that they can make effective efforts at the practical level for the implementation of UNSCR 1540.
• Putting officials of targeted States participating in the projects in a position to clearly identify gaps and needs, taking into account different perspectives (government and industry) so that effective requests for assistance can be formulated.

The workshops have been alotted 475,000 euros funded from the general budget of the European Union.