OpenLegislation

Division 1 OBJECTIVES

United Kingdom

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The European Union is a strong promoter of missile non-proliferation (EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction of 12 December 2003; Council Common Position 2003/805/CFSP of 17 November 2003 on the universalisation and reinforcement of multilateral agreements in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery; Council endorsed "New lines for action by the European Union in combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems" of 8 December 2008; EU support to UNSC resolution 1540 (2004), recalled in UNSC resolution 1977 (2010)).

The Union has strongly supported the Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation ('the Code' or 'HCoC') from its inception and has expressed regular concern over ballistic missile proliferation. The European Union considers the Code as an important multilateral instrument which aims at curbing the proliferation of ballistic missile systems and related technologies through transparency and confidence building measures. All the European Union Member States have subscribed to the Code and are implementing the Code in good faith.

In the past, the Union tried to overcome remaining loopholes in the implementation of the Code and its universality by organising a workshop of subscribing and non-subscribing States to the Code in the margins of the 2007 Annual Meeting.

Encouraged by the outcome of the workshop, the European Union has pursued its initiative and supported three aspects of the Code as follows:

  • Universality of the Code;

  • Implementation of the Code;

  • Enhancement and improved functioning of the Code.

This action was undertaken under Council Decision 2008/974/CFSP of 18 December 2008, which allowed developing several initiatives in support of HCoC including:

  • the development of a dedicated secure website;

  • the organisation of several side-events aimed at promoting the Code vis-à-vis non-subscribing States in Vienna and New York;

  • an awareness raising workshop for African and Middle Eastern Countries in Paris

  • a visit by observers to SLV launch site in French Guyana (Kourou);

  • preparation of food-for-thought papers.

That Decision contributed to raising awareness about the Code and to its promotion with third countries. It supported Costa Rica, Hungary, France and Romania in their activities as HCoC Chairs. By raising the profile of the HCoC, it facilitated the accession of new members to the Code.

In view of the results achieved, and of the continued proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of delivering WMD which constitute a cause of growing concern for the international community, in particular ongoing missile programmes in the Middle-East, North-East Asia and South Asia, including Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the following actions will be carried out:

  • supporting the HCoC;

  • supporting ballistic missile non-proliferation;

  • organising outreach events on HCoC and ballistic missile non-proliferation.

Going beyond the sole promotion of adherence to the Code, this Decision allows deepening the international debate over missile proliferation and engaging new regional areas and new communities.