Conference on Non-proliferation and Disarmament Co-operation Initiative

The European Commission will host an ad-hoc conference on the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Co-operation Initiative (NDCI) in Brussels from 16 to 17 December 2002. The conference will be co-chaired and co-sponsored by the European Union, USA and Canada.

It is meant to take stock of programmes supporting the Russian Federation and the other NIS in the field of Non Proliferation and Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction, have further detailed discussion on successes and difficulties of implementation at project level, develop ways forward and define further needs and priorities.

In a number of working sessions participants from the EU, the USA, Canada, EU candidate countries, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, Russia and other countries out of the New Independent States (NIS) as well as representatives from International Organisations will discuss issues such as Nuclear Security Programmes, Chemical Weapons Destruction Programmes, Cooperation in the Biological Sector, Export Control Cooperation and Mechanisms to tackle the risk of proliferation of Science, Technology and Expertise.

Next to the USA which has been the major contributor to foster non proliferation and disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in the Former Sowjet Union (FSU), the EU has, over the past ten years, already contributed more than €600 million for projects in this specific field in Russia. In the frame of the new G8 Global Partnership against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction, launched at the Summit in Kananaskis, discussions are proceeding to foster further support and facilitate the effective implementation of programmes.

Background

In March 2001, the European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, organised and hosted, in Brussels, an ad-hoc Conference on Non Proliferation and Disarmament Co-operation in Russia and other New Independent States (NIS). This Conference allowed the international community to follow-up on two previous Expanded Threat Reduction Initiative (ETRI) meetings.

A first international ad hoc Expanded Threat Reduction Initiative meeting was organised in June 1999 in Brussels by the US to intensify international co-operation with Russia and other NIS to reduce the risks of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, weapons related materials, technology and expertise. A second meeting took place six months later, in November, organised by The Netherlands, in The Hague. Both of these meetings were held in a one day format, consisting mainly of successive presentations by country representatives, describing ongoing programmes, budgets and further needs.

In order to strengthen the effectiveness of the information exchange mechanism initiated through the ETRI meetings, the European Union organised, in March 2001, the ad-hoc Conference on Non Proliferation and Disarmament Co-operation, by complementing the general presentations with more detailed information exchange sessions between experts. This Conference assembled nearly 180 participants and was considered as a success.

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