THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 215 thereof,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1544 of 15 October 2018 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons [See page 25 of this Official Journal.],

Having regard to the joint proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and of the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 22 March 2018, the European Council concluded that the use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons under any circumstances, is completely unacceptable, must be systematically and rigorously condemned, and constitutes a security threat to us all. On 28 June 2018, the European Council called for the adoption as soon as possible of a new Union regime of restrictive measures to address the use and pro­liferation of chemical weapons.