Introductory text
United Kingdom
Council Decision 2010/585/CFSP
of 27 September 2010
on support for IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 26(2) and Article 31(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (‘the Strategy’), Chapter III of which contains a list of measures to combat such proliferation and which need to be taken both within the Union and in third countries.
(2)
The Union is actively implementing the Strategy and is giving effect to the measures listed in Chapter III thereof, in particular through releasing financial resources to support specific projects conducted by multilateral institutions, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
(3)
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 deliveryf1. That Common Position calls, inter alia, for the promotion of the conclusion of IAEA comprehensive safeguards agreements and Additional Protocols and commits the Union to work towards making the Additional Protocol and comprehensive safeguards agreements the standard for the IAEA verification system.
(4)
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 Destructionf2.
(5)
On 18 July 2005, the Council adopted Joint Action 2005/574/CFSP on support for IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destructionf3.
(6)
On 12 June 2006, the Council adopted Joint Action 2006/418/CFSP on support for IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destructionf4.
(7)
On 14 April 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/314/CFSP on support for IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destructionf5.
(8)
The strengthening of the control of high-activity radioactive sources in accordance with the G-8 statement and Action Plan on securing radioactive sources, adopted at the 2003 Evian Summit, remains an important objective for the Union, which will be pursued through outreach to third countries.
(9)
In July 2005, the States Parties and the European Atomic Energy Community agreed by consensus to amend the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) with a view to expanding its scope to encompass nuclear material and facilities in peaceful domestic use and storage, as well as in transport, and to oblige States Parties to make violations subject to criminal sanctions.
(10)
In September 2005, the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism was opened for signature. Upon its entry into force, it will require States Parties to enact legislation to criminalise these offences.
(11)
The IAEA pursues the same objectives as set out in Recitals (3) to (10). This is done through the implementation of its Nuclear Security Plan, which is financed entirely through voluntary contributions to the IAEA Nuclear Security Fund.
(12)
On 12-13 April 2010, the Union participated in the Nuclear Security Summit, convened by the President of the United States of America, and committed to further enhancing its efforts aimed at strengthening nuclear security and to assist third countries in this regard.
(13)
In order to help address the specific challenges in the field of nuclear security and non-proliferation in Asian countries, due in particular to the growing number of nuclear applications in the region, inter alia in the field of medicine, agriculture and water, as well as nuclear research, this Decision should specifically support IAEA activities in South East Asia. This should take into account the increasing role of Asia as a partner to the Union in the field of security. Particular emphasis should be given to the strengthening of nuclear safety and security in non-energy nuclear applications in eligible countries,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: