27.4.2005 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
L 106/32 |
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
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 15 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) |
The European Union continues to regard the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament in accordance with Article VI of the NPT and an important element in the further development of nuclear energy applications for peaceful purposes. |
(2) |
On 17 November 2003 the Council adopted Common Position 2003/805/CFSP on the universalisation and reinforcement of multilateral agreements in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery (1). On 12 December 2003 the European Council adopted a Strategy against proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. |
(3) |
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1540 (2004), describing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery as a threat to international peace and security. |
(4) |
The 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons with the task of examining the Treaty and the question of its extension adopted decisions on the indefinite extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, on principles and objectives for nuclear non proliferation and disarmament and on strengthening the review process for that Treaty and a resolution on the Middle East. |
(5) |
On 13 April 2000 the Council adopted Common Position 2000/297/CFSP relating to the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (2). |
(6) |
The 2000 NPT Review Conference adopted a final document. |
(7) |
The Preparatory Committee for the 2005 NPT Review Conference held three sessions, from 8 to 19 April 2002 in New York, 28 April to 9 May 2003 in Geneva and 26 April to 7 May 2004 in New York. |
(8) |
On 29 April 1997 the Council adopted Joint Action 97/288/CFSP on the European Union's contribution to the promotion of transparency in nuclear-related export controls (3). |
(9) |
On 17 May 2004 the Council adopted Joint Action 2004/495/CFSP on support for IAEA activities under its Nuclear Security Programme and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (4). |
(10) |
On 1 June 2004 the Council adopted a statement of support for the Proliferation Security Initiative on Weapons of Mass Destruction. |
(11) |
The Additional Protocol to the Verification Agreement between the Non-Nuclear-Weapon States of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), EURATOM and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between France, EURATOM and the IAEA, and the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the United Kingdom, EURATOM and the IAEA have been signed and entered into force on 30 April 2004. |
(12) |
In the light of the outcome of the 2000 Review Conference and of the discussions at the three sessions of the Preparatory Committee for the NPT 2005 Review Conference, and bearing in mind the current situation, it is appropriate to update and develop further the objectives set out in Common Position 2000/297/CFSP, and the initiatives carried out under its terms, |
HAS ADOPTED THIS COMMON POSITION:
Article 1
The objective of the European Union shall be to strengthen the international nuclear non proliferation regime by promoting the successful outcome of the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Article 2
For the purposes of the objective laid down in Article 1, the European Union shall:
(a) |
contribute to a structured and balanced review of the operation of the NPT at the 2005 Review Conference, including the implementation of undertakings of the States Parties under the said Treaty, as well as the identification of areas in which, and of means through which, further progress should be sought in future; |
(b) |
help build a consensus on the basis of the framework established by the NPT by supporting the Decisions and the Resolution adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference and the final document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference, and shall bear in mind the current situation and shall promote inter alia the following essential issues, including:
|
Article 3
Action taken by the European Union for the purposes of Article 2 shall comprise:
(a) |
where appropriate, demarches by the Presidency, pursuant to Article 18 of the Treaty on European Union, with a view to promoting the universality of the NPT; |
(b) |
demarches by the Presidency, pursuant to Article 18 of the Treaty on European Union, with regard to States Parties to the NPT, in order to urge their support for the objectives set out in Article 2 of this Common Position; |
(c) |
the pursuit of agreement by Member States on draft proposals on substantive issues for submission on behalf of the European Union for consideration by States Parties to the NPT which may form the basis for decisions of the NPT 2005 Review Conference; |
(d) |
Statements by the European Union delivered by the Presidency in the General Debate and in the debates in the three Main Committees. |
Article 4
This Common Position shall take effect on the date of its adoption.
Article 5
This Common Position shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Luxembourg, 25 April 2005.
For the Council
The President
J. ASSELBORN
(1) OJ L 302, 20.11.2003, p. 34.