Summary: April 22, 2004: Statement to the Security Council by Ambassador Richard Ryan, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations, on behalf of the European Union. Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (New York)
Mr President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia; the Candidate Countries, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey; the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro; and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic
Area, align themselves with this statement.
Mr President,
The European Union and the countries aligned with this statement welcome the readiness of the Council to respond to requests for an open debate on the draft resolution on proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This is a critical issue, and given the impact which this resolution will have on all member states of the United Nations, it is particularly important that the wider UN membership be consulted and given an opportunity to have their views heard in advance of action on the
resolution. In this context, we appreciate the outreach efforts to the wider UN membership that have already been made by the co-sponsors.
The European Union welcomes and strongly supports, therefore, this initiative by the Security Council to address the problem of the potential acquisition of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons or materials by non-state actors. Measures are needed to address this important issue and enhanced international cooperation is required.
At their meeting in Thessaloniki in June 2003, European Union Heads of State and Government agreed that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery such as ballistic missiles is a growing threat to international peace and security. They have also recognised that the risk that terrorists will acquire chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials adds a new critical dimension to this threat.
EU Heads of State and Government have resolved to take action to address this threat, using all instruments and policies at the disposal of the Union, the objective being to prevent, deter, halt and, where possible, to eliminate proliferation programmes of concern worldwide.
The European Union has since developed a Strategy Against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, which was adopted in December 2003. Strengthening the role of the Security Council, including in relation to issues of non-compliance with multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaties, is an important element of the EU Strategy. We are pleased, therefore, to find in the draft resolution many points of commonality with that Strategy, while recognising at the same time that the focus
of the resolution is more specific.
Integral to the Strategy is our conviction that a multilateralist approach to security, including disarmament and non-proliferation, provides the best way to maintain international order. Convinced that non-proliferation and disarmament are mutually reinforcing, the EU welcomes that the most recent draft of the resolution now includes reference to the role of disarmament.
The EU Strategy reaffirms the EU's commitment to uphold and implement the multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation treaties and agreements, and the multilateral institutions charged respectively with verification and upholding compliance with these treaties. Accordingly, the EU believes that all states should be asked to promote the universal adoption and full implementation of the multilateral treaties, and not only those states that are party to them. The EU welcomes the explicit
assurance that nothing in the draft resolution should be taken to conflict with or alter the rights and obligations of states parties to existing treaties and conventions or with the responsibilities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The EU adopted in November 2003 a Common Position on the universalisation and reinforcement of multilateral agreements in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery. Accordingly, the EU is working independently, but in the spirit of the draft resolution, for the universalisation and, when necessary, strengthening of the main treaties, agreements and verification arrangements on disarmament and non-proliferation. We are also committed to enhancing
political, financial and technical support to verification regimes - including, in particular, the IAEA and the OPCW.
The EU is also already working to strengthen export control policies and practices in coordination with partners of the export control regimes, and advocating, where applicable, adherence to effective export control criteria by countries outside the existing regimes and arrangements. We also strongly endorse the need to enhance the security of proliferation-sensitive materials. We support efforts to strengthen identification, control and interception of illegal trafficking of WMD-related
material. The EU decided in November 2003 to include in its agreements with third countries a "non-proliferation clause" which requires, inter alia, the establishment by states parties of an effective system of export controls.
The EU is committed to reinforcing its cooperative threat reduction programmes with other countries, and plans to set up a programme of assistance to states in need of technical knowledge in order to ensure the security and control of sensitive material, facilities and expertise.
Mr President,
On such a critical issue, it is important that the language and explanation of the draft resolution is as clear as possible to ensure an accurate understanding of the scope and clear interpretation following its adoption. The draft resolution places far-reaching and legally-binding demands on states and clarity of language is therefore important. We appreciate the continuing efforts of the Council in this regard.
We believe that the resolution should be endowed with an effective follow-up mechanism, firmly anchored in the Council. This would also help reassure member states that the resolution will be implemented in a transparent, cooperative and consistent manner. We also strongly believe that a committee of the Council would require a mandate of two years. Ways might also be explored of improving ties with non-Council members in the work of the Committee.
Mr President,
Member States have a direct and vested interest in this resolution. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a global threat which requires an effective global response. We are confident that the Council, in its ongoing deliberations on the draft, will continue to take account of the concerns of member states, so that the resolution when adopted will enjoy widespread support and truly collective action to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction will be assured. The
security of our states, our peoples and our collective interest demands no less.
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