The European Union and Weapons of Mass Destruction

This page contains links to many key EU documents on weapons of mass destruction. All of the documents are publicly available via the website of the Council of the European Union, but can be difficult to track down. This webpage has therefore been designed to facilitate research by collecting and presenting together as many of these publicly available documents as possible. Since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the EU has become much more active in the field of WMD non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament but also included here are various pre 9/11 documents. Reflecting our research interests, coverage of nuclear issues might be slightly less comprehensive than for chemical and biological weapons.

General WMD
Nuclear Weapons
Biological Weapons
Chemical Weapons
Dual-use Export Controls
Civil Protection
Glossary

GENERAL WMD

Principal documents:

28 October 2004 European Union Report on the Implementation of Security Council resolution 1540 (2004)

13 December 2003 A Secure Europe in a Better World: European Security Strategy

13 December 2003 EU Strategy Against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

20 June 2003 Declaration on Non Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

16 June 2003 Basic Principles for an EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

16 June 2003 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Principles for an EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

15 April 2002 Implications of the terrorist threat on the non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control policy of the EU - Council conclusions

10 December 2001 Implications of the terrorist threat for EU policy - Conclusions

Progress reports:

14 June 2006 Implementation of the WMD Strategy - Six-monthly Progress Report on the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

12 December 2005 Implementation of the EU Strategy against proliferation of WMD: Six-monthly Progress Report on the implementation of Chapter III of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction - Updated List of Priorities for a coherent implementation of the EU WMD Strategy

13 June 2005 Implementation of the WMD Strategy - 6-monthly Progress Report

10 December 2004 Implementation of the WMD Strategy

10 June 2004 EU Strategy against proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction - Draft Progress Report on the implementation of Chapter III of the Strategy

5 November 2003 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Principles for an EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction - Progress Report

20 December 2002 Draft report on the implementation of the list of concrete measures with regard to the implications of the terrorist threat on the non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control policy of the European Union

Joint Actions:

12 June 2006 Council Joint Action 2006/419/CFSP of 12 June 2006 in support of the implementation of the 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

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Common positions:

17 November 2003 Council Common Position 2003/805/CFSP of 17 November 2003 on the universalisation and reinforcement of multilateral agreements in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery

Statements:

10 April 2006 United Nations Disarmament Commission, Statement by H.E. Mr Gerhard Pfanzelter, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, on Behalf of the European Union - General Exchange of Views

12 October 2005 United Nations General Assembly 60th Session, First Committee, Statement by Ambassador John Freeman, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on Behalf of the European Union - Other Weapons of Mass Destruction

3 October 2005 United Nations General Assembly 60th Session First Committee Statement by Ambassador John Freeman United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on behalf of the European Union General statement

20 June 2005 EU-U.S. Declaration on Enhancing Cooperation in the Field of Non Proliferation and the Fight Against Terrorism Washington

20 June 2005 EU-US Joint Programme of Work on the Nonproliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

8 December 2004 Joint Declaration of the People’s Republic of China and the European Union on Non-proliferation and Arms Control

19 October 2004 United Nations General Assembly 59th Session, First Committee, Statement by H.E. Ambassador Chris Sanders of the Netherlands on Behalf of the European Union - Other Weapons of Mass Destruction

4 October 2004 United Nations General Assembly 59th Session, First Committee, Statement by H.E. Ambassador Chris Sanders of the Netherlands, on Behalf of the European Union

26 June 2004 EU-US Declaration on the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Dromoland Castle

18 June 2004 Declaration by the European Council on Criminal Sanctions

17 May 2004 Non-proliferation - Support of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

19 November 2003 Mainstreaming Non-Proliferation Policies into the EU's Wider Relations with Third Countries

6 October 2003 United Nations General Assembly 58th Session, First Committee, Statement by H.E. Ambassador Carlo Trezza Head of the Italian Delegation, on Behalf of the European Union

25 June 2003 Joint Statement by European Council President Costas Simitis, European Commission President Romano Prodi and U.S. President George W. Bush on the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Washington

30 September 2002 United Nations General Assembly 57th Session, First Committee, Statement by H.E. Ambassador Erling Harild Nielsen of Denmark, on Behalf of the European Union

12 September 2002 Conference on Disarmament, Statement by H.E. Mr Henrik Rée Iversen, Ambassador of Denmark, on Behalf of the European Union

14 February 2002 Conference on Disarmament, Statement by H.E. Mr Carlos Miranda, Ambassador of Spain, Delegate to the Conference on Disarmament, on Behalf of the European Union

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NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Joint Actions:

12 June 2006 Council Joint Action 2006/418/CFSP of 12 June 2006 on support of IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification and in the framework of the implementations of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

20 March 2006 Council Joint Action 2006/243/CFSP of 20 March 2006 on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in the area of training and capacity building for verification and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

18 July 2005 Council Joint Action 2005/574/CFSP of 18 July 2005 on support for IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

17 May 2004 Council Joint Action 2004/495/CFSP of 17 May 2004 on support for IAEA activities under its Nuclear Strategy Programme and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

29 April 1997 Joint Action of 29 April 1997 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union on the European Union's contribution to the promotion of transparency in nuclear-related export controls

Decisions:

21 July 2003 Council Decision 2003/567/CFSP of 21 July 2003 implementing Common Position 1999/533/CFSP relating to the European Union's contribution to the promotion of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

9 April 2001 Council Decision of 9 April 2001 implementing Common Position 1999/533/CFSP relating to the European Union's contribution to the promotion of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (2001/286/CFSP)

Common Positions:

20 March 2006 Council Common Position 2006/244/CFSP of 20 March 2006 on participation by the European Union in the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO)

25 April 2005 Council Common Position 2005/329/PESC of 25 April 2005 relating to the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

13 April 2000 Council Common Position of 13 April 2000 relating to the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (2000/297/CFSP)

29 July 1999 Council Common Position of 29 July 1999 relating to the European Union's contribution to the promotion of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (1999/533/CFSP)

Statements:

30 March 2006 Conference on Disarmament, Statement by Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, Permanent Representative of Austria to the Conference on Disarmament on Behalf of the European Union - FMCT

10 October 2005 United Nations General Assembly 60th Session, First Committee, Statement by Ambassador John Freeman, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on Behalf of the European Union - Nuclear Weapons

26 September 2005 Statement to the 49th IAEA General Conference on behalf of the European Union by the UK Governor to the IAEA, Mr Robert Wright

21 September 2005 Statement by the Presidency of the European Union to the Article XIV Conference Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

9 June 2005 Conference on Disarmament, Announcement by H.E. Ambassador Chris Sanders of the Netherlands on Behalf of the European Union

2 May 2005 Statement by Nicolas Schmit Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg on behalf of the European Union, 2005 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

18 October 2004 United Nations General Assembly 59th Session, First Committee, Statement by H.E. Ambassador Chris Sanders of the Netherlands on Behalf of the European Union - Nuclear Weapons

25 October 2002 United Nations General Assembly 57th Session, First Committee, Declaration by H.E. Ambassador Erling Harild Nielsen on Behalf of the European Union - Joint Ministerial Declaration in Support of the CTBT

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BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

Joint Actions:

27 February 2006 Council Joint Action 2006/184/CFSP of 27 February 2006 in support of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, in the framework of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

27 February 2006 EU Action Plan on biological and toxin weapons, complementary to the EU Joint Action in support of the BTWC (2006/C 57/01)

Common Positions:

20 March 2006 Council Common Position 2006/242/CFSP of 20 March 2006 relating to the 2006 Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)

17 May 1999 Common Position of 17 May 1999 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article 15 of the Treaty on European Union, relating to progress towards a legally binding Protocol to strengthen compliance with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), and with a view to the successful completion of substantive work in the Ad Hoc Group by the end of 1999 (1999/346/CFSP)

4 March 1998 Common Position of 4 March 1998 defined by the Council on the basis of Article J.2 of the Treaty on European Union, relating to progress towards a legally binding Protocol to strengthen compliance with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the intensification of work in the Ad Hoc Group to that end (98/197/CFSP)

25 June 1996 Common Position of 25 June 1996 Defined by the Council on the Basis of Article 5.2 of the Treaty on European Union, Relating to Preparation For the Fourth Review Conference of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BTWC) (96/408/CFSP)

Statements:

26 April 2006 Meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 2006 Review Conference, Statement by Ambassador Dorothee Auer, Austria on behalf of the European Union

21 July 2004 BWC Meeting of Experts, Research on prevention of bioterrorism: Overview of recent developments and actions at European Community level. Submitted by the Netherlands

5 December 2005 Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, Fiona Paterson, United Kingdom, on Behalf of the European Union

26 March 2005 Declaration of the EU at the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BTWC)

6 December 2004 Statement by H.E. Ambassador Chris Sanders, the Netherlands, on behalf of the European Union Geneva, 6 December 2004

21 July 2004 BWC Meeting of Experts, Tasks and role of the European Commission in outbreak investigation, communicable disease surveillance and Health Security. Submitted by the Netherlands

10 November 2003 BWC Meeting of States Parties, EU Statement at the Meeting of States Parties to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention

27 November 2001 BWC 5th Review Conference, Proposals: Working paper submitted by the European Union

19 November 2001 5th Review Conference of the States Parties to the BTWC Statement by Belgium on behalf of the EU

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CHEMICAL WEAPONS

Joint Actions:

12 December 2005 Council Joint Action 2005/913/CFSP of 12 December 2005 on support for OPCW activities in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

22 November 2004 Council Joint Action 2004/797/CFSP of 22 November 2004 on support for OPCW activities in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Assistance to Russian CW destruction:

8 December 2003 Council Decision 2003/874/CFSP of 8 December 2003 implementing Joint Action 2003/472/CFSP with a view to contributing to the European Union cooperation programme for non-proliferation and disarmament in the Russian Federation

24 June 2003 Council Joint Action 2003/472/CFSP of 24 June 2003 on the continuation of the European Union cooperation programme for non-proliferation and disarmament in the Russian Federation

25 June 2001 Council Decision of 25 June 2001 implementing Joint Action 1999/878/CFSP with a view to contributing to the European Union Cooperation Programme for Non-proliferation and Disarmament in the Russian Federation

17 December 1999 Council Joint Action of 17 December 1999 establishing a European Union Cooperation Programme for Non-proliferation and Disarmament in the Russian Federation

Statements:

November 2005 European Union Statement to the Tenth Conference of States Parties, Delivered By Dr Kim Howells, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, United Kingdom

November 2004 Statement by the Kingdom of the Netherlands on behalf of the European Union at the 9th Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (The Hague, 29 November to 3 December 2004)

20 October 2003 Eighth Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention Declaration by the Head of the Delegation of Italy Ambassador Mario Brando Pensa on behalf of the European Union

1 May 2003 CWC 1st Review Conference, The Hellenic Republic on Behalf of the European Union, Challenge Inspections: Views of the European Union

28 April 2003 First Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review the Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention Statement by the Head of the Delegation of Greece Ambassador George J. Kaklikis on behalf of the European Union

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DUAL-USE EXPORT CONTROLS

15 December 2005 Implementation of the recommendations of the Peer Review of Member States' export control systems for dual use goods - Report on progress made in 2005

5 December 2005 Outreach to Industry Checklist

13 December 2004 Council Statement of 13 December 2004 further to the first stage of the Peer Review of Member States' Export Control Systems for Dual Use Goods conducted in the framework of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

2 December 2004 Recommendations further to the first stage of the Peer Review of Member States' Export Control Systems for Dual Use Goods conducted in the framework of the EU Strategy against the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Dual-Use Goods Regime:

17 September 2004 Commission Staff Working Paper: Report to Parliament and the Council on the Implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 Setting up a Community Regime for the Control of Exports of Dual-Use Items and Technology October 2000 to May 2004

19 July 2004 Council Regulation (EC) No 1504/2004 of 19 July 2004 amending and updating Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use items and technology

27 January 2003 Council Regulation (EC) No 149/2003 of 27 January 2003 amending and updating Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use items and technology

27 May 2002 Council Regulation (EC) No 880/2002 of 27 May 2002 amending Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use items and technology

20 November 2001 Council Regulation (EC) No 2432/2001 of 20 November 2001 amending and updating Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use items and technology

6 March 2001 Council Regulation (EC) No 458/2001 of 6 March 2001 amending Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 with regard to the list of controlled dual-use items and technology when exported

22 December 2000 Council Regulation (EC) No 2889/2000 of 22 December 2000 amending Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 with regard to intra-Community transfers and exports of dual-use items and technology

22 June 2000 Council Joint Action of 22 June 2000 concerning the control of technical assistance related to certain military end-uses (2000/401/CFSP)

22 June 2000 Council Regulation (EC) No 1334/2000 of 22 June 2000 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports of dual-use items and technology

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CIVIL PROTECTION

31 May 2005 Second annual Presidency report (2004) to the Council on the implementation of the joint Programme of the Council and the Commission, of 20 December 2002, to improve cooperation in the European Union for preventing and limiting the consequences of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terrorist threats (2002 CBRN Programme)

18 December 2003 First annual Presidency report (2003) to the Council on the implementation of the joint Programme of the Council and the Commission, of 20 December 2002, to improve cooperation in the European Union for preventing and limiting the consequences of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear terrorist threats

2 June 2003 COM(2003) 320 final Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on Cooperation in the European Union on Preparedness and Response to Biological and Chemical Agent Attacks (Health Security)

20 December 2002 Programme to Improve Cooperation in the European Union for Preventing and Limiting the Consequences of Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear Terrorist Threats

22 July 2002 EU Inventory - Protection of Civilian Populations Against NRBC Terrorist Attacks

3 July 2002 SEC(2002) 698 Commission Staff Working Paper: Report of the R&D Expert Group on Countering the Effects of Biological and Chemical Terrorism

17 December 2001 Programme of Cooperation on Preparedness and Response to Biological and Chemical Agent Attacks [Health Security]

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GLOSSARY

CODUN is one of the Council's CFSP working groups, in this case dealing with global arms control and disarmament. CODUN meets for one day a month in Brussels, usually back-to-back with CONOP. The group is attended by senior disarmament and non-proliferation officials from the 25 ministries of foreign affairs. Its mandate overlaps somewhat with CONOP, but some distinctions can be made: CODUN generally deals with issues relating to the CWC, BWC, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), small arms and land mines. The working group is serviced by personnel from the non-proliferation and disarmament section of the Council's General Secretariat, and an official from the Commission's security policy unit participates in all the meetings. CODUN is not a decision-making body; it serves as a forum in which issues and events can be discussed and in which statements, positions and decisions are drafted for submission to the General Affairs and External Relations Council.

The Common foreign and security policy (CFSP) was established and governed by Title V of the Treaty on European Union. It replaces European Political Cooperation (EPC) and provides for the eventual framing of a common defence policy which might in time lead to a common defence. The objectives of this 'second pillar' of the Union are set out in Article 11 of the EU Treaty and are to be attained through specific legal instruments (joint action, common position) which have to be adopted unanimously in the Council.

Common positions are designed to make cooperation more systematic and improve its coordination. EU Member States are required to comply with and uphold common positions which have been adopted unanimously by the Council.

CONOP is one of the Council's CFSP working groups, in this case dealing with non-proliferation. CONOP meets for one day a month in Brussels, usually back-to-back with CODUN. The group is attended by senior disarmament and non-proliferation officials from the 25 ministries of foreign affairs. Its mandate overlaps somewhat with CODUN, but some distinctions can be made: CONOP is responsible for the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), other non-proliferation and export control regimes, and assistance to Russia for chemical weapons destruction. The working group is serviced by personnel from the non-proliferation and disarmament section of the Council's General Secretariat, and an official from the Commission's security policy unit participates in all the meetings. CONOP is not a decision-making body; it serves as a forum in which issues and events can be discussed and in which statements, positions and decisions are drafted for submission to the General Affairs and External Relations Council.

The Council of the European Union (the "Council of Ministers" or the "Council") is the European Union's main decision-making institution. It is composed of the ministers of the Member States and thus constitutes the EU institution in which the governments of the Member States are represented. The Council is made up of the ministers of the member states. It meets in nine different configurations depending on the subjects being examined. For example, the "General Affairs and External Relations" configuration is made up of foreign affairs ministers, the "Justice and Home Affairs" configuration of justice and home affairs ministers, etc. All the work of the Council is prepared or co-ordinated by the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER), made up of the permanent representatives of the member states working in Brussels and of their assistants. The work of this Committee is itself prepared by some 250 committees and working groups consisting of delegates from the member states. The Council's headquarters are in Brussels, where it meets several times a month (in certain months, the meetings are held in Luxembourg). Each Member State in turn presides over the Council for six months.

The European Council is the regular meeting of the Heads of State or Government of the European Union Member States. Its purpose is to provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development and to define its general political guidelines. It does not issue legislation. It meets at least twice a year and the President of the European Commission attends as a full member. It is chaired by the Member State holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union in a predetermined order.

The General Secretariat of the Council provides the intellectual and practical infrastructure for the Council at four levels: working party, Permanent Representatives Committee, Council of Ministers and European Council. It carries out the practical preparation for meetings and drafts reports, notes, minutes and records and prepares draft agendas. It is more particularly at the disposal of the Presidency to assist in its tasks of finding compromise solutions, coordinating work and summing up situations. It provides the continuity in Council proceedings and has custody of Council archives and acts. Its Legal Service is available to give opinions to the Council and its committees. A large number of officials work at translation, typing, reproduction, circulation and handling of documents.

The High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy assists the Council in foreign policy matters, through contributing to the formulation, preparation and implementation of European policy decisions. He acts on behalf of the Council in conducting political dialogue with third parties. The High Representative is also Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union. Since October 1999, the High Representative has been Javier Solana of Spain. Joint actions are legal instruments under the common foreign and security policy.

Joint actions require coordinated action by EU Member States whereby all kinds of resources (human resources, know-how, financing, equipment, etc.) are mobilised in order to attain specific objectives set by the Council.

The Personal Representative for non Proliferation of WMD co-ordinates, helps implement and further develops the EU Strategy against the proliferation of WMD, and gives sharper focus to these issues in dialogue with third countries. In October 2003 the High Representative, Javier Solana, appointed Annalisa Giannella of Italy as Personal Representative.

The Political and Security Committee (PSC) follows international developments in the field of common foreign and security policy, helps to define policies and monitors their implementation. Under the authority of the Council, it is responsible for the political control and strategic guidance of crisis management operations. Composed mainly of national representatives, the PSC is at the heart of crisis management activities. To ensure its smooth running, it is assisted by a Politico-Military Group, a Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management, and the Military Committee (MC) and Military Staff (MS).

The Presidency of the Union is held in turn on a six-monthly basis by each Member State. A stint in the Presidency is a duty and a contribution that each Member State makes to the proper functioning of the Community institutions.

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