Non-proliferation Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner

Speech by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, on Non-proliferation at the European Parliament Plenary, Strasbourg

The proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and among them nuclear weapons is potentially the greatest threat to European Security.

Nuclear weapons proliferation is headline news, not least Iran and North Korea.

On Iran we are still at a delicate stage. We noted with concern Dr El-Baradei´s recent report that Iran has not suspended its enrichment-related activities and does not appear to have taken the necessary steps to ensure compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1737. The EU External Relations Council has just formally adopted the Common Position calling for the necessary firmness of the international community. We are serious about the double track policy, which has been cemented by the recent 3+3 talks in London. This means that we aim at maintaining dialogue, and enhancing our contacts with civil society, as well as exerting pressure. Discussions in New York focus on moving beyond the existing sanctions.

On North Korea, we welcome the results of the Six Party Talks held in Beijing on 13 February 2007. The EU is consulting with the Six offering the best means by which we can assist in the process, while remaining committed to the implementation of the UNSC resolution 1718. We support the current mission of Dr El-Baradei to North Korea aiming at the return of IAEA inspectors as part of the accord. I share his assessment that this is a crucial confidence-building process. I hope that the shutdown of the Yongbyon plant goes ahead by mid-April.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons established in 1970 the non-proliferation regime as we know it - with its fundamental balance between nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

From it followed several aspects which are of great importance to the EU, namely the principle of regulated nuclear trade, nuclear safeguards and the International Atomic Energy Agency which monitors compliance. Strengthening the effectiveness of the NPT will make the world safer. State Parties should be encouraged to work to this aim in view of the upcoming Review Conference.

Whilst the headlines focus on the regime's difficulties we should not underestimate the successes. South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea and Libya, for example, have all decided to forego nuclear weapons programmes.

My recent visit to India gave me an opportunity to stress to the Indian leadership our hope that India come much closer to the NPT regime and join the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We are looking forward to civil nuclear cooperation with India once the necessary preconditions are met.

These developments should also increase Pakistan's willingness to cooperate with the international community in the non-proliferation context.

Nuclear non-proliferation is an area where the Commission makes an important contribution:

Since 1957, the Euratom Treaty has provided the Commission with wide-ranging competences. The Commission's Safeguard activities are very closely coordinated with the IAEA, freeing its resources to be deployed to more troublesome regions of the world.

The Commission also plays its part in ensuring that the EU's nuclear export controls are as robust as possible, supporting the Dual-use Regulation 1334/2000. We also assist third states in enhancing their export controls and combating illicit trafficking in nuclear and radiological materials.

The Commission is a major provider of assistance for international non-proliferation efforts. One important example is the G8 Global Partnership against WMD where 1 billion Euros have been pledged for assistance in the former Soviet Union, 400m of which are already spent.

For more than 25 years the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has been working closely providing Science and technological support to the IAEA.

As I said: For the future we will do more. Under the new Instrument for Stability we will have resources to continue and strengthen work to enhance our security against nuclear proliferation threats.

Let me use this opportunity to once more thank the European Parliament for the support it has given to the Commission in setting up the new generation of non-proliferation assistance programmes through a series of Pilot projects.

| Arriba |

• EU Presidency Statement - United Nations 1st Committee: Other Weapons of Mass Destruction (19/10/2007)
• EU Presidency Statement - United Nations 1st Committee: General Debate (8/10/2007)
• Joint Statement on Iran, New York (28/9/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on the First Session of Non-Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee (NPT PrepCom) (23/4/2007)
• EU Presidency Statement - United Nations: Disarmament Commission (9/4/2007)
• EU Presidency Declaration on the Six Party Talks (14/2/2007)
• EUHR comments on agreement at six-party talks on DPRK nuclear issue (13/2/2007)
• EU Council Conclusions on Iran (22/1/2007)
• EU Commission and IAEA meet to reinforce mutual cooperation (19/1/2007)
• EU Presidency Statement - Explanation of Vote on the Draft Resolution on "Risk of Nuclear Proliferation in the Middle East" (23/10/2006)
• North Korean and Iranian delegates meet EU Parliamentarians (19/10/2006)
• EU Presidency Statement - First Committee Panel Discussion: Weapons of Mass Destruction Committee (12/10/2006)
• "North Korea" - Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner (11/10/2006)
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - EU Parliament Hearing considers its future (20/9/2006)