B4-0502, 0506, 0507, 0512, 0524, 0535 and 0547/96

Resolution on the G7+1 Summit in Moscow from 19 to 20 April 1996 and strategic nuclear arms control

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolutions supporting arms control, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, in particular those of 11 December 1986 ((OJ C 7, 12.1.1987, p. 128.)), 12 March 1987 ((OJ C 99, 13.4.1987, p. 144.)), 19 November 1987 ((OJ C 345, 21.12.1987, p. 135.)), 17 December 1987 ((OJ C 13, 18.1.1988, p. 106.)), 22 January 1988 ((OJ C 49, 22.2.1988, p. 155.)), 13 July 1990 ((OJ C 231, 16.7.1990, p. 209.)), 22 April 1993 ((OJ C 150, 31.5.1993, p. 261.)), 24 June 1993 ((OJ C 194, 19.7.1993, p. 206.)), 24 March 1994 ((OJ C 114, 25.4.1994, p. 56.)), 17 November 1994 ((OJ C 341, 5.12.1994, p. 178.)), 5 April 1995 ((OJ C 109, 1.5.1995, p. 41.)) and 20 September 1995 ((OJ C 269, 16.10.1995, p. 61.)),

A. noting the G7+1 Summit on a wide range of nuclear issues to be held in Moscow from 19 to 20 April 1996,

B. whereas in January 1995 an Agreement was signed between Euratom and the US Department of Energy on cooperation in the field of control of nuclear materials including coordination of efforts by both parties to transfer technology to third countries wishing to strengthen their national control system,

C. welcoming the decision of the US Senate to ratify START II, the strategic nuclear arms control treaty, on 26 January 1996, and urging the US Congress to maintain a strict interpretation of the 1972 ABM Treaty,

D. noting with concern that the Russian Federation Duma has still to ratify this treaty,

E. whereas the continuation of high-level reductions in strategic nuclear weapons is essential to the security of the European Union and the world,

F. concerned that nuclear materials are increasingly traded in the international black market, and that the risk of nuclear terrorism is growing,

G. whereas France has declared a definitive end to its nuclear tests, and whereas the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia have promised to continue their moratorium on nuclear testing provided a comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT) is signed before the end of 1996,

H. whereas the negotiations on a CTBT in Geneva have been adjourned, and whereas China has still not announced the end of its testing programme,

I. recalling the commitments made by the European Union at the Non- Proliferation Treaty Review and Renewal Conference to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to nuclear disarmament and to achieve a comprehensive nuclear test ban by 1996,

1. Considers it of the utmost importance that the European Union, together with the US, the Russian Federation and other interested parties, should continue to take an active part in pursuing the objective of reaching a CTBT and halting the spread of nuclear materials;

2. Calls on all the parties concerned to return to the negotiating table in Geneva with a view to reaching an early agreement on a CTBT;

3. Congratulates the US Senate on ratifying the START II Treaty and urges the Russian Federation Duma to do so at the earliest opportunity;

4. Welcomes the efforts made by the EU, the US and the Russian Federation to put into place the infrastructure which will allow a close monitoring of the movement of nuclear materials on the territory of the former Soviet Union;

5. Takes the view that, at the Moscow summit, the G7+1 countries must devise a strategy to combat the illegal international networks for the sale of nuclear material from the countries of the former Soviet Union, networks which pose a threat to international stability and peace;

6. Calls on the parties concerned to press ahead with the process of returning to the Russian Federation all nuclear weapons still remaining on the territory of the other former Soviet republics;

7. Welcomes the signing of the Pelibanda Treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the G7 States and Russia and the Chairman of the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.