EU Presidency Statement - Draft resolution on Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space

Mr. Chairman,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union on the resolution L.44 entitled "Prevention of an arms race in outer space". The Acceding Countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia), the Associated Countries (Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey) and the EFTA Countries of Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this explanation of vote.

Mr. Chairman,

The EU has voted in favour of the resolution on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, but in order to avoid any misunderstanding we deem it necessary to clarify the rationale of our vote.

We want to reiterate that the Conference on Disarmament is the only international multilateral negotiating forum for disarmament. Therefore, it is within the CD that any decision should be taken regarding work on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

The EU stands ready to support the establishment of a subsidiary body at the CD to deal with this matter on the basis of a mandate, which will be subject of an agreement by all. We wish to recall, however, that the negotiation at the CD of a non-discriminatory and universal treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devises (FMCT) constitutes a priority for the EU.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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• EU Presidency Statement - Outer Space  (18/10/2004)
• Déclaration de la présidence sur l'exploitation pacifique de l'espace (7/10/2002)
• Déclaration de la Présidence de l'UE sur l'espace (22/10/2001)