EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, June 2003

Foreign ministers from across the EU reached agreement on a strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) at a meeting of the External Relations Council in Luxembourg on 12 March 2003.

The strategy, which is being heralded as evidence of increasingly good relations between EU Member States after the differences over the Iraq crisis, was put together by the High Representative for EU Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. It offers a completely alternative approach to US policy on the issue with the emphasis on diplomatic pressure and sanctions. However, the possible use of force is also included for the first time with the strategy envisaging the use 'of 'coercive measures' under the United Nations Charter, ideally with the approval of the UN Security Council, if other measures are unable to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

EU ministers also agreed to try to strengthen the multilateral framework governing WMD, in particular through the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and disarmament forums. Financing to the IAEA would be increased to give inspectors more credibility, export controls would be strengthened and the use of non-routine inspections under international control would be permitted.

In conjunction to the discussions on a WMD strategy, EU foreign ministers issued a warning to Iran to co-operate fully with the IAEA and to conclude and implement an additional protocol to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty allowing for short-notice inspections of possible nuclear sites. The EU has previously been criticised for conducting trade talks with Iran and if the Tehran government fails to take any action in respect of WMD then they could find that the relationship with the EU becomes even more strained. However, a majority of EU Member States believe that by embracing Iran through dialogue, they can obtain greater transparency on WMD issues and more progress on political reform and the protection of human rights in Iran.

Links:
Council of the European Union:
	16.06.03:	Press Release: External Relations Council, Luxembourg, 16 June 2003 [PRES/03/166]
European Sources Online: Financial Times:
	16.06.03:	EU foreign ministers agree WMD policy
BBC News Online:
	16.06.03:	EU backs Iran nuclear inspections
International Atomic Energy Agency:
	Homepage
European Sources Online: In Focus:
	EU tackles the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, April 2003

Helen Bower

Compiled: Tuesday, 17 June 2003

Keywords: WMD