Annex: EU Strategy against the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction[107]
Fighting against the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction is a high priority
The European Security Strategy entitled "A
secure Europe in a better world", which was adopted by
the European Council in December 2003, identifies the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction as a key threat for EU security.
As part of the implementation of the European Security Strategy,
the Council also adopted an EU Strategy against the Proliferation
of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in order to address that
threat.
In October 2003, a Personal Representative for
the non-proliferation of WMD was appointed by EU High Representative
Javier Solana in order to co-ordinate, help implement and
further develop the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of WMD,
and to give sharper focus to these issues in dialogue with third
countries.
Actions to be carried out in the framework
of the EU WMD Strategy
The implementation of the EU WMD Strategy includes
the following key measures:
- Firm engagement to promote
the universalisation and reinforcement of multilateral
agreements to prevent the proliferation of WMD and their
means of delivery.
- Reinforcement of export controls:
- within the EU
- a peer review of export control
systems is about to be concluded;
- an improved system has been developed for exchange
of information on export licence denials, ensuring that would-be
proliferators cannot shop from one Member State to another in
order to avoid dual use export controls;
- outside the EU
- appropriate assistance programmes
to third countries are foreseen in order to prevent the transfer
of WMD-related materials and
- technology to countries of concern and non-state
actors.
- Working towards the criminalisation
of activities which contribute to the proliferation of
WMD and WMD-related materials (a declaration has been adopted
by the European Council).
- The enhancement of the physical protection
of nuclear materials and facilities, and better controls
on the use, storage and disposal of radio-active sources.
- Release of financial resources to support efforts
conducted by multilateral institutions such as the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organisation for the Prohibition
of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty
Organisation (CTBTO). A first Joint Action has been adopted in
support of the nuclear security action plan of the IAEA
which is designed to counter the threat of nuclear terrorism.
An initial amount of €3.3 million will be made available
to the IAEA during the year 2004.
Co-operation with key partners
The magnitude of the issue of WMD proliferation requires
common efforts. Working with the US and other partners, including
international organisations active in the field of non-proliferation
like the IAEA and the OPCW is crucial in order to co-ordinate
activities and to harness synergies.
G8 Global Partnership
Several EU Member States (Germany, Italy, France,
UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland and Poland) and the European
Commission are committed to the "G8 Global Partnership".
Together they have offered more than $5.5 billion towards the
target of $20 billion by the year 2012. At the G8 Sea Island Summit,
Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Ireland joined the list
of participants in the Global Partnership.
June 2004
107 http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/us/sum06_04/fact/wmd.pdf. Back
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