EN Official Journal of the European Union C 296/1

SIX-MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU STRATEGY AGAINST THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (2015/I)

(2015/C 296/01)

INTRODUCTION

In line with the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction adopted by the European Council in December 2003 (doc. 15708/03), progress reports on the implementation of the Strategy are foreseen every six months. This progress report covers activities carried out in the first half of 2015.

The guiding principles of the EU in the field, in accordance with the objectives of the European Security Strategy, the EU WMD Non-proliferation Strategy and the New Lines for Action (doc. 17172/08), continue to be:

(i) effective multilateralism, including the promotion of the universality of international treaties, conventions and other instruments and their national implementation, through diplomatic action and financial assistance to third countries and international organisations;

(ii) close cooperation with partners and other third countries striving towards a global convergence of views on the need to strengthen the international non-proliferation regime. Efforts have continued to address non-proliferation issues in the EU’s bilateral relations with all relevant countries, in particular through political dialogue meetings and more informal contacts;

(iii) effective and complementary use of all available instruments and financial resources — the CFSP budget, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), other instruments — in order to maximise the impact of its activities in pursuit of the EU Foreign Policy objectives.

Work is therefore also closely coordinated within the broader Security policy and Conflict prevention activities undertaken by the EU.

The EEAS Principal Advisor and Special Envoy for Non-proliferation and Disarmament represented the EU in a number of key international meetings during the first half of 2015 (notably the G7 Non-Proliferation Directors Group in Aachen in January and in Hamburg in March, the 2015 NPT Review Conference in April-May and consultations on non-proliferation and disarmament issues with a number of third countries).

In the first semester of 2015, the Special Envoy focused on:

— enhancing efforts to uphold the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), in particular in the context of preparations for the 2015 NPT Review Conference. This remains a top priority for the EU, given also its direct relevance for major regional proliferation challenges in Iran and the DPRK. The EU continued to support the process for the establishment of a WMD-free zone in the Middle East. The Special Envoy has been in regular contacts with the Finnish Facilitator, Ambassador Laajava, in relation to the convening of the Helsinki Conference;

— continuing to promote the initiative for an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities through broad outreach to UN Member States;

— promoting the universalisation and entry-into-force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and enhancing the visibility of the EU’s outreach activities in this field, including in the context of various events such as the one organised in April in Israel which initiated a debriefing process of the CTBTO’s on-site inspection Integrated-Field Exercise (IFE14) held in Jordan in November 2014, as well as the 2015 NPT Review Conference;

— intensifying/initiating non-proliferation dialogues with major partners outside of the EU and pursuing the mainstreaming of non-proliferation issues in the EU’s bilateral relations with all relevant countries, in particular through political dialogue meetings and more informal contacts.

1. NUCLEAR ISSUES

The EU Council Working Group on Non-Proliferation (CONOP), in close cooperation with the relevant EU Delegations, contributed actively to preparations of EU positions for the NPT 2015 Review Conference in April-May, the IAEA Board of Governors meetings in March and June, the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Reinforced Point of Contact meeting in March, the Annual Regular Meeting of the Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC) in May, the GICNT Plenary and the NSG Plenary meetings in June. Relevant EU Delegations coordinated the work on preparing EU contributions to other international meetings, such as those of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission and its subsidiary bodies, and other relevant meetings within its mandate.

1.1. 2015 NPT Review Conference (New York, 27 April-22 May 2015)

Council Conclusions containing the EU positions for the Ninth Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT were adopted on 20 April (doc. 8079/15). Based on the mentioned Council Conclusions, the EU general statement and EU statements for each of the three Main Committees of the Review Conference were finalised and delivered at the event. HR/VP Mogherini delivered the EU general statement on the second day of the Conference (28 April). Three EU working papers were submitted to the Conference on: (1) CTBT, (2) safeguards and (3) the new Euratom Safety Directive. The EU organised two side events at the Conference: one in support of The Hague Code of Conduct against the proliferation of ballistic missiles (held on 8 May) and another one on nuclear safety and security (held on 14 May). Although the Review Conference was unable to adopt a consensus outcome document, the Action Plan adopted at the 2010 NPT Review Conference remains valid and the EU will continue to promote its comprehensive, balanced and substantive full implementation.

1.2. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The EU has continued to enhance its support to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. The EU remains a key donor to the Nuclear Security Fund, with nearly EUR 40 million committed since 2004 (including the latest commitment to provide the Agency with EUR 8,05 million, based on Council Decision 2013/517/CFSP of 21 October 2013 which is currently being implemented).

Further on nuclear security, the EU has contributed with its technical expertise to training activities and workshops organised by the IAEA and targeted third countries to enhance capabilities in combating illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials. The EU and the IAEA have continued to coordinate their support to third countries in this field. The third EU-IAEA Annual Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), involving the EEAS, the European Commission/Euratom and IAEA representatives at senior level, was held on 4-5 February 2015 on the premises of the European Commission in Luxembourg. The aim of the SOM meetings is to enhance cooperation in all areas of the IAEA activity, increase visibility of EU contributions and further coordinate EU action, in order to ensure complementarity and avoid overlap between activities undertaken by the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence and the IAEA in the field of Nuclear Security (to this effect, the EU — through the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission — and the IAEA are implementing a Practical Arrangement to guide their cooperation).

Since 2008, the EU has committed through Council Conclusions, up to EUR 25 million to the IAEA LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) Bank. The EU transferred EUR 20 million from the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace to support the Bank. A further contribution of up to EUR 5 million is to be provided from the CFSP budget, based on a Council Decision. The Council’s approval is pending on progress in the finalisation and approval of various agreements, including the Host State Agreement between the IAEA and Kazakhstan.

In the field of nuclear safeguards, the European Commission’s Nuclear Safeguards Directorate continues to apply safeguards on all civil nuclear material in all 28 EU Member States, with an annual budget of approximately EUR 20 million. Safeguards verification activities are coordinated in close cooperation with the IAEA. The IAEA and the Commission are continuously enhancing their cooperation in the field with the aim to optimise the use of human and financial resources, while maintaining the highest possible effectiveness of safeguards. The EU has also continued to provide important technical support to the IAEA in the field of nuclear safeguards through the European Commission Safeguards Support Programme.

While the EU has committed EUR 10 million to support the international project aiming to expand and modernise the Seibersdorf Safeguards Laboratory in Austria (with EUR 9,5 million already transferred), the IAEA has turned to international donors, including the EU, to also contribute to the modernisation of the Nuclear Applications Laboratory in Seibersdorf.

At expert level, the European Commission in cooperation with the IAEA has launched a process to assess and support the improvement of the IAEA’s Illicit Trafficking Database (ITDB) in response to user needs. A best practice document on harmonised reporting culture has been drafted and will be submitted to the IAEA. The development of the web-INF (Incident Notification Form), in order to modernise reporting means, started in October 2013 and will be finalised soon.

Under the new Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC 2014-2020) the EU has committed EUR 3,5 million to support nuclear safety cooperation projects implemented by the Agency. Besides this direct contribution, the EU and the IAEA are closely working together in particular to address the Uranium Legacy Sites in Central Asia under the Coordination Group for Uranium Legacy Sites (CGULS) as well as under the Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) that coordinates international support to the regulatory authorities of embarking countries (Belarus, Jordan, Vietnam).

EU funds provided to the IAEA under Joint Actions I to IV, and Council Decision V helped to advance the IAEA’s efforts to strengthen nuclear security in third countries with priority given to those States having the greatest needs to enhance their control of radioactive and nuclear material, thus assisting with reducing the risks. Efforts focused on strengthening States’ legislative and regulatory infrastructure related to nuclear and other radioactive material, nuclear security measures for nuclear and other radioactive material in use, storage and transport and their related facilities and States’ capabilities for dealing with nuclear and radioactive material outside national regulatory control, thus enabling the countries assisted to fulfil their national and international obligations. The latest Council Decision (IAEA VI, 2013/517/CFSP), adopted on 21 October 2013, is contributing to further enhancing nuclear security worldwide and to strengthening European security, by offering support to the IAEA’s activities undertaken in the framework of the Nuclear Security Plan 2014-2017, primarily in the areas outlined above.

1.3. Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The EU has actively promoted the early entry into force of the Comprehensive-Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), based on Council Decision 2012/699/CFSP of 13 November 2012 in support of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) and by conducting outreach efforts towards all countries that have not yet signed or ratified the CTBT, including the remaining Annex II States whose ratification is required for the entry into force of the Treaty. The EU continues to raise awareness of the CTBT in various contexts, including in political dialogue meetings, in order to create further momentum for the ratification of the Treaty.

HR/VP Mogherini had a bilateral meeting with CTBTO Preparatory Commission Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo on the margins of the 2015 NPT Review Conference in New York. The European Union also submitted a working paper on the CTBT to the Review Conference.

The Special Envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament participated in the CTBTO High-level event held on the margins of the workshop on ‘On-Site Inspection Integrated Field Exercise 2014: Debriefing and the Way Forward’ organised in April in Ramat-Gan (Israel) and observed first-hand the outcomes and associated conclusions of the IFE14. In that context, he delivered remarks highlighting both the political and financial EU support to the universalisation and effective implementation of the CTBT.

The nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 12 February 2013 and the risks of possible further tests have clearly shown the real importance of the CTBTO verification regime, which is currently developed and that the EU has been supporting through its Council Decisions. CTBTO teams have been mobilised for providing all countries that signed the CTBT with relevant hot-line data for feeding decision-makers. The efforts regarding the maintenance of the Auxiliary Seismic Stations Network assisted through Joint Actions/Council Decisions from I to V, and the implementation of the CTBTO International Data Centre (which collects, analyses and shares data coming from the stations network) will contribute to the necessary sustainability of the system. Furthermore, it is of utmost importance to support the CTBTO Provisional Technical Secretariat in conducting further exercises, such as the one held in Jordan, to test and improve the operative capabilities of the on-site inspection regime.

1.4. Regional issues (Iran, DPRK)

The EU has remained fully committed to ongoing efforts aimed at achieving a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations, based on the NPT and the full implementation of all relevant UNSC and IAEA Board of Governors Resolutions. Smooth implementation of the interim agreement known as the Joint Plan of Action (JPoA) reached between the E3/EU+3 and Iran in Geneva in November 2013, which was extended till 30 June 2015, provided the necessary space for the ongoing diplomatic process. Since the beginning of the implementation of the JPoA, the EU as the facilitator of the E3 + 3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) nuclear talks embarked on negotiations with Iran aimed at reaching a long-term comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue as envisaged in the Joint Plan of Action. At the meeting in Lausanne on 2 April 2015, the EU High Representative and the Foreign Ministers of the E3 + 3 and Iran reached a political understanding on the key parameters for a comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue. Since then, work has been ongoing at Political Director's and experts’ level to translate the Lausanne understandings into a written agreement by the end of June when the interim agreement expires. In parallel to the E3/EU+3 track, the Framework for Cooperation between the IAEA and Iran aims to resolve all present and past outstanding issues, including those related to possible military dimensions. Several technical meetings have taken place under the Framework for Cooperation between the IAEA and Iran. However, Iran has not yet implemented the two outstanding practical measures nor proposed any new practical measures in the third step of the Framework for Cooperation, despite renewed requests by the Agency.

The EU remains concerned that Iran is developing and testing ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles in violation of UNSC Resolutions 1737, 1747, 1803, 1835 and 1929. The EU has condemned those activities repeatedly since they carry the inherent risk for the weaponisation of a nuclear explosive device. Regarding the DPRK, the EU remains extremely concerned by the ongoing development of its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and the political priority put by the regime on the improvement of its nuclear capabilities. The EU has continued to urge the DPRK to abide by its obligations assumed under the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including by abandoning all its existing nuclear, other weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The EU has continued to call on the DPRK to return to full compliance with the NPT and IAEA safeguards obligations, and provide the IAEA with the requested access to individuals, documentation, equipment and facilities. The EU has constantly been supportive of the resumption of the Six-Party Talks process, and has called on the DPRK to return to credible and authentic international negotiations. In addition to implementing UN Security Council Resolutions, the EU has also introduced additional autonomous restrictive measures, including strengthened controls on dual use goods and the proliferation of conventional arms. The EU renewed its appeal to the DPRK urging it to ratify the CTBT and to refrain from any further provocative acts. The DPRK continues to defy UNSC Resolutions 1695, 1718, 1874, 2087 and 2094, and that has been condemned by the EU in the strongest terms.

2. CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT (CD)/TREATY BANNING THE PRODUCTION OF FISSILE MATERIAL FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS OR OTHER NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE DEVICES

The EU remains committed to treaty-based nuclear disarmament and arms control and stresses the need to renew multilateral efforts and revitalise multilateral negotiating bodies, in particular the Conference on Disarmament (CD), looking in this regard into possibilities such as its future enlargement. Its ongoing stalemate, including its persistent failure to agree on a Programme of Work, remains a source for concern.

The EU reiterates its call for the immediate commencement and early conclusion of the negotiation in the Conference on Disarmament of a Treaty banning the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, on the basis of CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein which remains a clear priority. The EU calls on all States that have not yet done so to declare and uphold an immediate moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, as well as to dismantle or convert for non-explosive use only the facilities dedicated to the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons. The EU welcomes the action of those of the five nuclear-weapon States, in particular by the two Member States of the EU, which have declared relevant moratoria and dismantled or converted such facilities.

The EU also welcomes the constructive discussions at and the successful conclusion of the meetings of the Group of Governmental Experts in 2014 and 2015 and expressed its confidence that their report will lay the ground for future negotiations.

3. CHEMICAL WEAPONS

On 17 February, Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/259 for the years 2015-2017 was adopted, making available to the OPCW some EUR 2,5 million to support activities such as promoting universality, national implementation, international cooperation, the Africa Programme and implementing lessons learned from the Syrian operation. This Council Decision is the sixth voluntary contribution of the EU to OPCW activities since 2005, as a token of continuous support and in recognition of the important work carried out by the organisation.

The EU has continued supporting the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons programme. It did so by extending the validity of the Decision to contribute from the IcSP EUR 12 million to the OPCW Trust Fund. Upon the request of OPCW, the EU is examining the possibility of contributing further to the destruction of the remaining Syrian CW Production Facilities and related activities.

Council Decision 2014/74/CFSP of 11 February 2014 and Council Regulation (EU) No 124/2014 of 10 February 2014 introduced a derogation for the possible use of Syrian frozen assets to cover expenses related to OPCW verification and destruction activities in Syria. In November 2014, the EU addressed a letter to the OPCW Director-General informing him of the aforementioned possibility and requested him to demarche the Syrian authorities to this effect. The proposal has been transmitted to the Syrian authorities who until now are rejecting it. However, the EU continues to revert to this proposal at all appropriate opportunity and in the EU statements at the OPCW.

Following the Third Review Conference (April 2013) of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the EU continued to focus on its priorities, notably: (i) completing the destruction of existing stockpiles; (ii) promoting universality of the CWC (on 14 October 2013, Syria became the 190th State Party to the Convention); (iii) national implementation according to Article VII; (iv) shifting to non-proliferation efforts; (v) promoting capacity-building with regard to safety and security in the chemical industry in developing countries, in accordance with Article XI, and responding to the use of chemical weapons, under Article X.

Despite the need to still complete some of the initial core objectives of the CWC, the EU and its Member States have started a reflection to discern the post-CW destruction stage and are gradually beginning to consider challenges to the future relevancy (i.e. prohibit re-emergence of CW, use by non-state actors and terrorists, convergence with biology), and hence the effectiveness of the convention. In this vein, the EU will carefully examine the recently issued note by the OPCW titled ‘The OPCW in 2025: ensuring a world free of chemical weapons’, document S/1252/2015 dated 6 March 2015, with the purpose to contributing to the relevant debate at the OPCW competent organs.

In terms of impact of the EU support, all countries which had been selected to receive assistance utilised this to fill critical technical gaps, allowing these States Parties to make significant progress towards national implementation of the CWC. Concretely, it can be noted that the EU Council Decisions remain the only possible means of providing this type of assistance to tackle implementation shortcomings. From the 90 national implementation sub-projects carried out by the OPCW Technical Secretariat in recent years, about half could not have been performed without Joint Actions/Council Decisions funds. As far as the EU priority on promoting universality is concerned, in total 19 countries joined the Convention since the first Joint Action was adopted and four of those that joined the Convention in 2005 had been involved in an EU Joint Action/Council Decision-funded outreach activity; this was the case for all countries that joined during the following years.

4. BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

Ahead of the Eighth BTWC Review Conference (Geneva, November/December 2016), the EU has worked towards the negotiation and possible future adoption of both a new Council Decision in support of the BTWC and an EU Common Position towards the next Review Conference.

The EU is also engaged in supporting improvements in bio-safety and bio-security. In this regard, Council Decision 2013/668/CFSP adopted on 18 November 2013 provides for more than EUR 1,7 million to support, through the technical expertise of the World Health Organisation, projects aimed at promoting, in some selected States Parties, bio-risk awareness, laboratory bio-risk management, and development of national laboratory strategies.

5. BALLISTIC MISSILES

5.1. HCoC

The EU considers the Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missiles proliferation (HCoC) as a unique multilateral instrument aimed at curbing the proliferation of ballistic missiles systems and related technologies through transparency and confidence building measures and has strongly supported it since its inception. All EU Member States have subscribed to the Code. The EU has continued to pursue and support the three aspects of the Code: universality, implementation, and enhanced and improved functioning.

Implementation of a new Council Decision (2014/913/CFSP) in support of the HCoC adopted by the Council on 15 December 2014 started in spring 2015. Under this CD, a side-event was organised by the EU in May 2015, on the margins of the NPT Review Conference. The EU was represented by the Head of the EU Delegation in Vienna. Clear references to the EU funding were made, which were echoed by nearly all speakers. The event was live-streamed.

The EU Member States are working on the implementation of Council Decision 2014/913/CFSP of 15 December 2014 in support of the HCoC and ballistic missile non-proliferation.

5.2. MTCR

The 2014 plenary meeting of the MTCR was held on 1-3 October in Oslo, where an EU statement was delivered. An MTCR Reinforced Point of Contact meeting was organised in March 2015 where the EEAS delivered a comprehensive statement.

Four EU countries from among the EU-9 renewed their application for MTCR membership: Romania, Estonia, Slovenia and Croatia.

At the 2014 plenary in Oslo, Luxembourg and the Netherlands announced that they would take on the role of joint Chairmanship of the MTCR for 2015-2016.

6. CBRN RISK MITIGATION

The EU has continued to progress with regard to the implementation of the EU CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Action Plan adopted in 2009, and some 30 projects have so far been supported by the Prevention of and Fight against Crime (ISEC) Programme.

In addition, a range of CBRN-related research projects funded by the Secure Society Programme under the 7th Framework Programme are providing scientific and technical support to the CBRN Action Plan through research developments covering the whole crisis management cycle (from prevention to recovery). Activities are also ongoing to identify standardisation needs in this area which might lead to ‘European Norms’ (EN) standards. The Horizon 2020 programme (2014-2020) will strengthen ongoing efforts in CBRN research through focused topics, the work programme of which was adopted on 10 December 2013.

A 2012 Progress Report on the Implementation of the Action Plan highlighted main achievements, particularly with regard to strengthened exchange of information and good practices, the organisation of joint training exercises, and the agreement on three EU lists of high-risk substances in the chemical, biological and radiological-nuclear fields, respectively.

In order to implement the current Action Plan by 2015 and to define the new CBRN-E Agenda, the Commission works closely with Member State authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the CBRN-E Advisory Group and its sub-groups, which meet regularly.

In May 2014, the European Commission adopted a Communication on a new EU approach to the detection and mitigation of CBRN-E risks (document COM(2014) 247 final). In the Communication, the Commission proposes to facilitate practical cooperation for the detection and mitigation of CBRN-E risks at EU level, including working with the industry, operators of facilities handling CBRN-E materials (equipment manufacturers and security services providers) and other stakeholders. The document contains a set of 30 actions to be implemented in the nearest future by different Commission’s services in cooperation with Member States. Concrete tools will be developed, ranging from guidance materials, training and awareness building, and testing activities.

The Commission is currently gathering contributions from Member States as well as from other relevant European institutions and services with a view to present — by the end of the year — a final progress report on the implementation of the 2009 Action Plan. At the same time, the Commission will present ideas for the future work in the CBRN-E area.

The ‘EU CBRN risk mitigation Centres of Excellence’ (CoE) Initiative, funded through the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, was launched by the EU in May 2010. EU CBRN Centres of Excellence are being created in response to the recognition of insufficient institutional capacity of several countries to mitigate the CBRN risk: criminal activities (CBRN proliferation or terrorism), natural and accidental disasters (industrial accidents). Their objective is to develop an all-hazard CBRN policy at national and regional level to anticipate and respond to these risks. In short, these are structural measures to reduce the vulnerability of countries to the CBRN events in the reciprocal interest of regions and the EU security.

The way to achieve this objective is to support the creation of regional networks of expertise in the legal, regulatory, technical, control and enforcement matters regarding the CBRN risk mitigation, following a bottom up and cross border approach to identify regional priorities that cannot be handled only at national level.

— Five Regional Secretariats are now inaugurated (in Amman, Tbilisi, Rabat, Manila, and Abu Dhabi); one Memorandum of Understanding was very recently signed for the opening of the Secretariat in Uzbekistan. Continued negotiations on the setting up of the Regional Secretariats in Algiers and Nairobi are taking place with a view to be completed soon;

— New countries recently joined the initiative (Malawi, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Burkina Faso) adding up to 52 countries as of June 2015;

— 34 CBRN teams are established and actively involved in CoE activities;

— To date, CBRN Needs Assessments have been developed in more than 20 countries and National CBRN Action Plans have been initiated by the following 16 partner countries: Philippines, Cambodia, Serbia, Georgia, Morocco, Montenegro, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Democratic Republic of Congo.

— In total, forty-seven regional projects (approximately EUR 60 million) have been contracted since 2011 with different consortia, including from the Member States.

7. THINK TANKS

Based on Council Decision 2010/430/CFSP of 26 July 2010, the EU’s work under the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction has been actively supported by the EU Non-Proliferation Consortium that started its activity in January 2011. A new Decision adopted on 10 March 2014 extended for another three years the activities of the Consortium, both by building on the achievements and experiences gained in the period 2011-2013 and by adding new and innovative projects.

The Consortium’s activities increased EU visibility vis-à-vis third countries and civil society and contributed substantially to EU policy shaping in the areas of non-proliferation and disarmament. The Consortium provides a platform for informal contacts among practitioners and helps promoting dialogue between different stakeholders. The Consortium’s network counts over 65 think-tanks across Europe. The activity has contributed to raising awareness about nuclear, chemical and biological weapons challenges.

8. UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1540 AND EXPORT CONTROLS

(a) UNSCR 1540

The Council Decision in support of UNSCR 1540 adopted by the Council on 22 July 2013 is being implemented by the UNODA that organises regional workshops and country assistance visits worldwide. The implementation of this Council Decision helps enhancing the relevant national and regional efforts, contributes to the practical fulfilment of the recommendations included in the 2009 Comprehensive Review of the status of implementation of UNSCR 1540, and initiates and develops national action plans upon States’ request.

UNODA has signed an agreement with the OSCE that would entail synergies in support of the UNSCR 1540. Synergies and coordination, also to avoid possible duplications, are to be sought also with the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence. More than 15 events have already been organised with EU funds, the latest of which was held in Jordan in June 2015.

(b) Export Controls

Further to the adoption, on 24 April 2014, of a Commission Communication on the review of the EU Export control regime that identifies concrete policy options for the modernisation and adaptation of export controls to rapidly changing technological, economic and political circumstances, the European Parliament held a public hearing in January 2015. For its part, the Commission has launched an ‘impact assessment’ of the review options outlined in the Communication to identify the most suitable regulatory and non-regulatory actions to bring them into effect and contracted, in December 2014, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) for the collection of data to support the Impact Assessment and prepare the ground for the preparation of revised export control regulations.

On the regulatory side, further to the delegation of competence granted under Regulation (EU) No 599/2014, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1382/2014 updating the EU control list in light of decisions taken in multilateral export control regimes in 2011-2013 entered into force in December 2014. In March 2015, the Commission initiated preparations, in consultation with experts from the Member States, for a new delegated regulation updating the EU control list in light of regime 2014 decisions.

Export controls implementation was supported by three meetings of the Dual-Use Coordination Group in the first half of 2015, focusing in particular on the introduction of new functionalities to the ‘Dual-Use Electronic System’, and technical exchange of information on various control issues.

EU coordination took place to promote the agreed EU positions in the relevant meetings of the export control regimes held in the first semester of 2015 (Nuclear Suppliers Group: Consultative Group meetings in April in Vienna and in June in Bariloche/Argentina, as well as Plenary meeting in June in Bariloche/Argentina; Missile Technology Control Regime: Reinforced Point of Contact meeting in Paris in March 2015, Australia Group: Plenary meeting in June in Perth/Australia).

The EU Export Control Outreach programme to strengthen the administrative and technical capacity in third countries (23) in dealing with dual-use items continued. The outreach programme implemented new activities in Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Pakistan and Serbia. Special attention was given to intensive the cooperation with the US Department of State’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) programme to increase synergies between the two programmes. Ad hoc seminars in Kiev and in Kosice were organised with the aim to promote cross-border cross regional cooperation in strategic trade control with Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova as well with the EU Member States in the East. An EU Outreach portal (https://export-control.jrc.ec.europa.eu/) was set up as a one stop shop platform for all EU Outreach programmes (Dual-Use, ARMS and ATT) with the aim to customise information exchange with the EU partner countries. A specific conference with partner countries on ‘new and evolving challenges’ related to export control took place in January 2015. A study on export control challenges in Africa was finalised. The programme is funded under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace.

9. SPACE

Since 2007, the EU has been promoting the development of an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. This international and voluntary set of guidelines and confidence-building measures would strengthen safety, security and predictability of all space activities. Such guidelines should, among other things, limit or minimise harmful interference, collisions or accidents in outer space, as well as the creation of debris. It would lay down the basic rules to be observed by space faring nations in both civil and military space activities.

The EU held three rounds of multilateral Open-ended Consultations on the draft text of the Code, in Kiev (May 2013), Bangkok (November 2013), and Luxembourg (May 2014). Overall, 95 UN Member States participated in the consultation process (61 countries were present in each round of consultations). The process of Open-ended Consultations, concluded by the meeting in Luxembourg, played a valuable role in developing a better understanding of positions and concerns of participating states. At the end of the meeting, the Chair concluded that broad international interest in the initiative exists. Many nations expressed their desire to move the process to a negotiating phase in which the draft Code developed during the consultative process could serve as the basis for future multilateral negotiations.

In coordination with like-minded countries and with assistance of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, the EU has scheduled multilateral negotiations on its proposal for a draft International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities to take place in New York from 27 to 31 July 2015. All UN Member States will be invited to this meeting.

10. WMD NON-PROLIFERATION CLAUSES

The EU continued, in accordance with its WMD Non-proliferation Strategy, to mainstream non-proliferation of WMD into its contractual relations with third countries. Further negotiations on WMD non-proliferation clauses in relevant agreements between the EU and third countries took place, in particular with Malaysia. The negotiations contribute to awareness raising on the EU’s policy on non-proliferation and disarmament and provide a forum to increase mutual understanding of relevant positions, identify possible areas for future cooperation and to encourage partner countries to make concrete headway with regard to the international non-proliferation regime.

11. OTHER MULTILATERAL FORA

G7

The EU continued to be actively engaged in the meetings of the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Directors (Aachen, 28-29 January, and Hamburg, 4-5 March), which led to the successful negotiation of a non-proliferation and disarmament statement, attached to the Foreign Ministers’ declaration of Lübeck of 15 April.

Since its creation in 2002, the Global Partnership (GP) has expanded to become a platform of coordination and cooperation, counting now 20 additional partners. At the Deauville Summit in May 2011, leaders agreed to further strengthen biological security, UNSCR 1540 implementation, scientist engagement and nuclear and radiological security. The US in 2012, the UK in 2013 and Russia, until its suspension from the G8 in 2014, took this agenda forward, in particular by strengthening the five existing sub-working groups on biological security, chemical security, nuclear and radiological security, Centres of Excellence (CoE) and outreach and expansion under the GP Working Group. The EU Centres of Excellence continue to feature prominently within the Global Partnership Centres of Excellence Sub-Working Group, in particular as a tool to facilitate exchange of information regionally and, possibly, avoid duplication among donors. The EU shared German priorities defined for its 2014-15 chairmanship, in particular towards biosciences which are topping the agenda. The objective is to better secure and account for materials, to reinforce disease surveillance and emergency response (i.e. Ebola and other pandemics), to strengthen national and global networks and to reinforce safe and responsible conduct in biosciences. This in line with the important role already played by the EU on biosciences through BTWC and WHO Council Decisions as well as through three EU Mobile Labs, soon to be four, which have already been deployed to West Africa since May 2014.

International Science and Technology Center

The EU actively contributed to negotiations on the adoption of an updated agreement for the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC). The ISTC aims at engaging scientists and engineers that have dual-use knowledge in peaceful research activities or commercial programmes with the EU and other partners. It seeks to continue using dual-use knowledge by redirecting and redeploying relevant scientists and could therefore play a role in the process of providing long-term solutions to proliferation crises. During the negotiations, the EU emphasised the need for an agreement which would allow the ISTC to implement projects that could contribute to effectively address challenges in areas of proliferation concern, including in the Middle East. The new ISTC branch office was officially opened in Astana in June 2014.

12. POLITICAL DIALOGUE MEETINGS

The Special Envoy held political dialogue meetings on non-proliferation and disarmament with Brazil, Egypt, Japan, the US and Israel. He also held a number of other bilateral consultations with various actors, including in the margins of important events such as the 2015 NPT Review Conference in New York (the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, the UNIDIR Director, the US, Republic of Korea, Israel, Egypt, etc.).

ANNEX I OVERVIEW OF EU COUNCIL JOINT ACTIONS AND COUNCIL DECISIONS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EU STRATEGY AGAINST PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) Title Objective and implementing entity Budget and duration Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/259 of 17 February 2015 in support of activities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/259 for the years 2015-2017 has made available to the OPCW some EUR 2,5 million to support activities such as: — promoting universality, — national implementation, — international cooperation, — the Africa Programme and — implementing lessons learned from the Syrian operation. Implementing agency: The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Budget: EUR 2 5 28 069 Official Journal: L 43, 18.2.2015 Estimated duration of the action: 36 months Council Decision 2015/203/CFSP of 9 February 2015 in support of the Union proposal for an international Code of Conduct for outer-space activities as a contribution to transparency and confidence building measures in outer-space activities To support its proposal for an international Code of Conduct on outer-space activities as a contribution to the creation of TCBMs in outer-space activities in line with UNGA Resolution A/RES/68/50, the Union will continue, drawing from experience made under Council Decision 2012/281/CFSP, to support the multilateral process on the proposal for an international Code of Conduct for outer-space activities, involving all interested States in an inclusive and transparent manner with a view to building the widest possible consensus on the draft Code with a view to its adoption by the international community. In this context, the projects to be supported by the EU shall cover the following specific activities: a) To continue to enhance awareness, knowledge and understanding of the proposal for an international Code of Conduct and the process led by the European Union. b) To continue to provide a framework for the multilateral process on the proposal for an international Code of Conduct for outer-space activities, that will enable the international community to continue to engage with a view to building the widest possible consensus for adoption of the Code of Conduct, through supporting multilateral meetings for negotiations on the draft Code, as well for as its formal adoption. Implementing agency: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Budget: EUR 1 2 74 398,85 Official Journal: L 33, 10.2.2015 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months Council Decision 2014/913/CFSP of 15 December 2014 in support of the HCoC and ballistic missile Non-Proliferation in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction The Council Decision will ensure the continuous and practical implementation of certain elements of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: 1. Support activities in support of The Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation and the Missile Technology Control Regime, in particular with the aim to: — promoting the universality, and in particular the subscription to the Code by all States with ballistic missile capabilities; — supporting the implementation and reinforcing the visibility of the Code; — promoting adherence to the MTCR guidelines and its annex. 2. More generally, support a range of activities to fight against the proliferation of ballistic missiles, aimed notably at raising awareness of this threat, stepping up efforts to increase the effectiveness of multilateral instruments, building up support to initiatives to address these specific challenges and helping interested countries to reinforce nationally their relevant export control regimes. In this context, the projects to be supported by the European Union shall cover the following specific activities: — activities in support of The Hague Code of Conduct; — activities in support of ballistic missile non-proliferation in general. Implementing agency: Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS). Budget: EUR 9 90 000 Official Journal: L 360, 17.12.2014 Estimated duration of the action: 30 months Council Decision 2014/129/CFSP of 10 March 2014 promoting the European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks in support of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction The Council Decision aims at continuing the fruitful cooperation we had with the Consortium of think-tanks since its establishment in July 2010. It builds on the achievements and experiences gained in the period 2011-13. Through distinct yet interrelated projects we aim at giving continuity to the Consortium’s activities while adding new important tasks that were identified as potentially beneficial for the EEAS and the EU: — annual international conference on non-proliferation and disarmament (3 in total; 250-300 targeted participants, international in scope, to be held in Brussels) — annual consultative meeting on non-proliferation and disarmament (3 in total, 100 targeted participants, European in scope, to be held in Brussels) — internet platform and production of policy papers — ad hoc seminars (up to seven, 45 targeted individuals to be determined on a case-by-case, to be held within the EU or, up to three outside of the EU) — Help-desk Facility for production within two weeks’ time of up to 20-5-10 pages policy papers on demand by EEAS — Education on non-proliferation and disarmament (European online curriculum for University use to be available 24 months after the starting of the contract). Implementing agency: The EU Non-Proliferation Consortium of Think-Tanks Budget: EUR 3 6 00 000 Official Journal: L 71, 12.3.2014 Estimated duration of the action: 36 months Council Decision 2013/726/CFSP of 9 December 2013 in support of the UNSCR 2118 (2013) and OPCW Executive Council EC-M-33/Dec 1, in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction The overall objective is to support the OPCW activities by contributing to costs associated with the inspection and verification of the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons, as well as costs associated with activities complementary to the core mandated tasks in support of UNSCR 2118 (2013) and the OPCW Executive Council Decision of 27 September 2013 on the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons and subsequent and related resolutions and decisions. The project supported through this Council Decision is the provision of situation-awareness products related to the security of the OPCW-UN Joint Mission, including the status of the road network through the delivery to OPCW of satellite imagery and related information products of the EU Satellite Centre (EU SATCEN). Implementing agency: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Budget: EUR 2 3 11 842 Official Journal: L 329, 10.12.2013 Estimated duration of the action: 12 months Request for extension until 30 September 2015. Council Decision 2013/668/CFSP of 18 November 2013 in support of World Health Organisation activities in the area of bio-safety and bio-security in the framework of the European Union Strategy against the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction The overall objective is to support the implementation of the BTWC, in particular those aspects that relate to ensuring the safety and security of microbial or other biological agents or toxins in laboratories and other facilities, including during transportation, as appropriate, in order to prevent unauthorised access to such agents and toxins and their unauthorised removal and to promoting bio-risk reduction practices and awareness, including biosafety, biosecurity, bioethics and preparedness against intentional misuse of biological agents and toxins, through international cooperation in this area: (a) promotion of laboratory bio-risk management through national and regional outreach, (b) development of national laboratory bio-risk management strategies to counter biological risks (a demonstration model for countries). Implementing entity: The World Health Organisation. Budget: EUR 1 7 27 000 Official Journal: L 310, 20.11.2013 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months Council Decision 2013/517/CFSP of 21 October 2013 on the Union support for the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency 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 — IAEA VI The overall aim is to support the IAEA’s activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification in order to further the following objectives: (a) to achieve progress towards the universalisation of international non-proliferation and nuclear security instruments, including IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols; (b) to enhance the protection of proliferation-sensitive materials and equipment and the relevant technology, providing legislative and regulatory assistance in the area of nuclear security and safeguards; (c) to strengthen the detection of, and response to, illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials. Implementing entity: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Budget: EUR 8 0 50 000 Official Journal: L 281, 23.10.2013 Estimated duration of the action: 36 months Council Decision 2013/391/CFSP of 22 July 2013 in support of the practical implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery The aims shall consist of: (a) enhancing the relevant national and regional efforts and capabilities primarily through capacity-building and assistance facilitation; (b) contributing to the practical implementation of specific recommendations of the 2009 Comprehensive Review of the status of implementation of UNSCR 1540 (2004), in particular in the areas of technical assistance, international cooperation and raising public awareness; (c) initiating, developing and implementing National Action Plans upon States’ request. Implementing entity: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Budget: EUR 7 50 000 Official Journal: L 198, 23.7.2013 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Council Decision 2012/699/CFSP of 13 November 2012 on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction — CTBTO V. The Union will support four projects, the objectives of which are the following: (a) to provide technical assistance and capacity building to State Signatories to enable them to fully participate in and contribute to the implementation of the CTBT verification system; (b) to develop capacity for future generations of CTBT Experts through the Capacity Development Initiative (CDI); (c) to enhance the Atmospheric Transport Model (ATM); (d) to characterise and mitigate Radio Xenon noble gases; (e) to support the Integrated Field Exercise in 2014 (IFE14) through the development of an integrated multispectral array; (f) to improve the sustainment of certified IMS Auxiliary Seismic Stations. Implementing entity: The Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. Budget: EUR 5 1 85 028 Official Journal: L 314, 14.11.2012 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Extended to 3 December 2015. Council Decision 2012/423/CFSP of 23 July 2012 on support of ballistic missile non-proliferation in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and of Council Common Position 2003/805/CFSP The objectives are: (a) to support the activities of The Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation, in particular with the aim to: — promoting the universality of the Code, and in particular the subscription to the Code by all States with ballistic missile capabilities; — supporting the implementation of the Code; — reinforce the visibility of the Code, in particular on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of its signature; (b) more generally, to support a range of activities to fight against the proliferation of ballistic missiles, aimed notably at raising awareness of this threat, stepping up efforts to increase the effectiveness of multilateral instruments, building up support to initiatives to address these specific challenges and helping interested countries to reinforce nationally their relevant export control regimes. Implementing entity: Fondation pour le Recherche Stratégique. Budget: EUR 9 30 000 Official Journal: L 196, 24.7.2012 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Extended to 28 March 2015. Council Decision 2012/422/CFSP of 23 July 2012 in support of a process leading to the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. The objectives are: (a) to support the work of the Facilitator for the 2012 Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction; (b) to enhance the visibility of the Union as a global actor and in the region in the field of non-proliferation; (c) to encourage regional political and security-related dialogue within civil societies and governments, and more particularly among experts, officials and academics; (d) to identify concrete confidence-building measures that could serve as practical steps towards the prospect of a Middle East zone free of WMD and their means of delivery; (e) to encourage discussion on the universalisation and implementation of relevant international treaties and other instruments to prevent the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems; (f) to discuss issues related to peaceful uses of nuclear energy and international and regional cooperation. Implementing entity: EU Non-Proliferation Consortium. Budget: EUR 3 52 000 Official Journal: L 196, 24.7.2012 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. A contingency amount of EUR 20 000 was given to the Arab Institute for Security Studies in Amman, Jordan for organising a meeting on the subject of the WMDFZ in the M.E. (13-14 November 2013). Implemented. Council Decision 2012/421/CFSP of 23 July 2012 in support of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), in the framework of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The objectives are: (a) promoting the universality of the BTWC, (b) supporting the implementation of the BTWC, including submission of CBMs by the States Parties, (c) supporting the work of the 2012-15 inter-sessional programme with a view to strengthening the implementation and effectiveness of the BTWC. Implementing entity: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). Budget: EUR 1 7 00 000 Official Journal: L 196, 24.7.2012 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Extended to 31 January 2015. Council Decision 2012/281/CFSP of 29 May 2012 in the framework of the European Security Strategy in support of the Union proposal for an international Code of Conduct on outer-space activities. The objectives are: (a) consultations with States, active or not yet active on space issues to discuss the proposal and to gather their views, (b) gathering expert support for the process of developing an international Code of Conduct for outer-space activities. Implementing entity: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). Budget: EUR 1 4 90 000 Official Journal: L 140, 30.5.2012 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. Extended to 31 July 2014. Implemented. Council Decision 2012/166/CFSP of 23 March 2012 in support of activities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction — V. The objectives are: (a) to enhance the capacities of States Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the CWC, (b) to enhance the preparedness of States Parties to prevent and respond to attacks involving toxic chemicals, (c) to enhance international cooperation in the field of chemical activities, (d) to support the ability of the OPCW to adapt to developments in the field of science and technology, (e) to promote universality by encouraging States not Parties to join the CWC. Implementing entity: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Budget: EUR 2 1 40 000 Official Journal: L 87, 24.3.2012 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Extended to 31 December 2014 Council Decision 2010/799/CFSP of 13 December 2010 in support of a process of confidence-building leading to the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery in the Middle East in support of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The objectives are: (a) to encourage regional political and security-related dialogue within civil societies and governments, and more particularly among experts, officials and academics, (b) to identify confidence-building measures that could serve as practical steps towards the prospect of a Middle East zone free of WMD and their means of delivery, (c) to encourage discussion on the universalisation and implementation of relevant international treaties and other instruments to prevent the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems, (d) to discuss issues related to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and international and regional cooperation in this regard. Implementing entity: EU Non-Proliferation Consortium. Budget: EUR 3 47 700 Official Journal: L 341, 23.12.2012 Implemented. 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 — IAEA V. The objectives are: (a) strengthening national legislative and regulatory infrastructures for the implementation of relevant international instruments in the areas of nuclear security and verification, including comprehensive safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol, (b) assisting States in strengthening the security and control of nuclear and other radioactive materials, (c) strengthening States’ capabilities for detection and response to illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials. Implementing entity: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Budget: EUR 9 9 66 000 Official Journal: L 302, 1.10.2010 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Extended to 31 December 2014. Council Decision 2010/430/CFSP of 26 July 2010 establishing an European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks in support of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. The objective of this network of independent non-proliferation think tanks is to encourage political and security-related dialogue and the long-term discussion of measures to combat the WMD proliferation and their delivery systems within civil societies, and more particularly among experts, researchers and academics. It will constitute a useful stepping stone for non-proliferation action by the Union and the international community. The Union wishes to support this network as follows: (a) through organising a kick-off meeting and an annual conference with a view to submitting a report and/or recommendations to the representative of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR), (b) through creating an internet platform to facilitate contacts and foster research dialogue among the network of non-proliferation think tanks. Implementing entity: EU Non-Proliferation Consortium. Budget: EUR 2 1 82 000 Official Journal: L 205, 4.8.2010 Estimated duration of the action: 36 months. Extended to 30 June 2014. Implemented Council Decision 2010/461/CFSP of 26 July 2010 on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction — CTBTO IV. The objectives are: (a) to improve the operation and sustainability of the auxiliary seismic stations network of the CTBT’s International Monitoring System; (b) to improve the CTBT verification system through strengthened cooperation with the scientific community; (c) to provide technical assistance to States Signatories in Africa and in the Latin American and Caribbean Region so as to enable them to fully participate in and contribute to the implementation of the CTBT verification system; (d) to develop an OSI noble gas capable detection system. Implementing entity: The Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. Budget: EUR 5 2 80 000 Official Journal: L 219, 20.8.2010 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. Extended to 16 May 2014. Implemented Council Decision 2009/569/CFSP of 27 July 2009 — OPCW IV. The objective is to support the universalisation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and in particular to promote the ratification/accession to the CWC by States not Parties (signatory States as well as non-signatory States) and to support the full implementation of the CWC by the States Parties: (a) to enhance the capacities of States Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Convention, and (b) to promote universality. Implementing entity: The Organisation for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons. Budget: EUR 2 1 10 000 Official Journal: L 197, 29.7.2009 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. Implemented. Council Decision 2008/974/CFSP of 18 December 2008 in support of HCoC. The EU supports three aspects of the Code as follows: (a) universality of the Code, (b) implementation of the Code, (c) enhancement and improved functioning of the Code. Implementing entity: Fondation pour le Recherche Stratégique. Budget: EUR 1 0 15 000 Official Journal: L 345, 23.12.2008 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2008/588/CFSP of 10 November 2008 in support of BTWC. The overall objective is: (a) to support the universalisation of the BTWC, (b) to enhance the implementation of the BTWC, including the submission of CBM declarations, and (c) to support the best use of the Inter-Sessional Process 2007-2010 for the preparation of the 2011 Review Conference. Implementing entity: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) — Geneva. Budget: EUR 1 4 00 000 Official Journal: L 302, 13.11.2008 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2008/588/CFSP of 15 July 2008 — CTBTO III. The EU supports the development of capacity of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO in the area of Verification by: (a) noble gas monitoring: radio-xenon measurements and data analysis, (b) integrating States Signatories in Africa to fully participate in and contribute to the implementation of the CTBTO monitoring and verification system. Implementing entity: The CTBTO Preparatory Commission. Budget: EUR 2 3 16 000 Official Journal: L 189, 17.7.2008 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2008/368/CFSP of 14 May 2008 in support of the implementation of UNSCR 1540. The projects in support of the implementation of UNSCR 1540 will take the form of six workshops aiming at enhancing the capacity of officials responsible for managing the export control process in six sub regions (Africa, Central America, Mercosur, the Middle East and Gulf Regions, Pacific Islands and South-East Asia), so that they can at a practical level undertake implementation efforts of UNSCR 1540. The proposed workshops will be specifically tailored for border, customs and regulatory officials and will comprise the main elements of an export control process including applicable laws (including national and international legal aspects), regulatory controls (including licensing provisions, end-user verification and awareness-raising programmes) and enforcement (including commodity identification, risk-assessment and detection methods). Implementing entity: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). Budget: EUR 4 75 000 Official Journal: L 127, 15.5.2008 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2008/314/CFSP of 14 April 2008 on support for IAEA activities in the areas of nuclear security and verification — IAEA IV. The objectives are: (a) strengthening national legislative and regulatory infrastructures for the implementation of relevant international instruments in the areas of nuclear security and verification, including comprehensive safeguards agreements and the Additional Protocol, (b) assisting States in strengthening the security and control of nuclear and other radioactive materials, (c) strengthening States’ capabilities for detection and response to illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials. Implementing entity: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Budget: EUR 7 7 03 000 Official Journal: L 107, 17.4.2008 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2008/307/CFSP of 14 April 2008 in support of World Health Organisation activities in the area of laboratory bio-safety and bio-security — WHO I. The overall objective is to support, the implementation of the BTWC, in particular those aspects that relate to the safety and security of microbial or other biological agents and toxins in laboratories and other facilities, including during transportation as appropriate, in order to prevent unauthorised access to and removal of such agents and toxins. (a) promotion of bio-risk reduction management through regional and national outreach, (b) strengthening the security and laboratory management practices against biological risks. Implementing entity: The World Health Organisation. Budget: EUR 2 1 05 000 Official Journal: L 106, 16.4.2008 Estimated duration of the action: 24 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2007/753/CFSP of 19 November 2007 in support of IAEA monitoring and verification activities in the DPRK. Objective is to contribute to the implementation of monitoring and verification activities in the DPRK, in accordance with the Initial Actions of 13 February 2007, as agreed in the framework of the six-party-talks. Implementing entity: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA Department of Safeguards) Budget: EUR 1 7 80 000 Official Journal: L 304, 22.11.2007 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. Suspension, Force majeure. Ended Council Joint Action 2007/468/CFSP of 28 June 2007 — CTBTO II. The objective is to support the early entry into force of the Treaty, and need to the rapid build-up of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) verification regime via: (a) Improvement of the knowledge of Provisional Technical Secretariat noble gas measurements; (b) Support to on-Site Inspection via the support for the Preparations for the Integrated Field Exercise 2008. Implementing entity: The CTBTO Preparatory Commission. Budget: EUR 1 6 70 000 Official Journal: L 176, 6.7.2007 Estimated duration of the action: 15 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2007/185/CFSP of 19 March 2007 — OPCW III. The objective is to support the universalisation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and in particular to promote the ratification/accession to the CWC by States not Parties (signatory States as well as non-signatory States) and to support the full implementation of the CWC by the States Parties. (a) promotion of universality of the CWC, (b) support for full implementation of the CWC by States Parties, (c) international cooperation in the field of chemical activities, as accompanying measures to the implementation of the CWC, (d) support for the creation of a collaborative framework among the chemical industry, OPCW and national authorities in the context of the 10th anniversary of the OPCW. Implementing entity: The Organisation for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons. Budget: EUR 1 7 00 000 Official Journal: L 85, 27.3.2007 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2007/178/CFSP of 19 March 2007 — Russian Federation IV. The objective is to assist the Russian Federation in destroying some of its chemical weapons, towards fulfilment of Russia’s obligations under the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction. This Joint Action supported the completion of the electricity supply infrastructure at Shchuch’ye chemical weapon destruction facility, in order to provide a reliable power supply for the operation of the chemical weapon destruction facility. Implementing entity: The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Budget: EUR 3 1 45 000 Official Journal: L 81, 22.3.2007 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2006/418/CFSP of 12 June 2006 — IAEA III. The objective is to strengthen nuclear security in selected countries which have received EU assistance such as: (a) Legislative and Regulatory Assistance; (b) Strengthening the Security and Control of Nuclear and other Radioactive Materials; (c) Strengthening of States’ Capabilities for Detection and Response to Illicit Trafficking. Implementing entity: The International Atomic Energy Agency Budget: EUR 6 9 95 000 Official Journal: L 165, 17.6.2006. Estimated duration of the action: 15 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2006/419/CFSP of 12 June 2006 — UNSCR 1540. The action aimed at addressing three aspects of the implementation: (a) awareness-raising of requirements and obligations under the Resolution, (b) contributing to strengthening national capacities in three target regions (Africa, Latin America and Caribbean, Asia-Pacific) in drafting national reports on the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) and (c) sharing experience from the adoption of national measures required for the implementation of the Resolution. Implementing entity: United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). Budget: EUR 1 95 000 Official Journal: L 165, 17.6.2006. Estimated duration of the action: 22 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2006/243/CFSP of 20 March 2006 — CTBTO I. The objective is to improve the capacity of CTBT Signatory States to fulfil their verification responsibilities under the CTBT and to enable them to fully benefit from participation in the treaty regime by a computer-based training/self-study. Implementing entity: The CTBTO Preparatory Commission. Budget: EUR 1 1 33 000 Official Journal: L 88, 25.3.2006 Estimated duration of the action: 15 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2006/184/CFSP of 27 February 2006 — BTWC. Overall objective: to support the universalisation of the BTWC and, in particular, to promote the accession to the BTWC by States not Party (signatory States as well as non-signatory States) and to support the implementation of the BTWC by the States Parties. (a) promotion of the universality of the BTWC; (b) support for implementation of the BTWC by the States Parties. Implementing entity: The Graduate Institute of International Studies, Geneva. Budget: EUR 8 67 000 Official Journal: L 65, 7.3.2006 Estimated duration of the action: 18 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2005/913/CFSP of 12 December 2005 — OPCW II. The objective is to support the universalisation of the CWC and in particular to promote the accession to the CWC by States not Party (signatory States as well as non-signatory States) and to support the implementation of the CWC by the States Parties. (a) promotion of universality of the CWC; (b) support for implementation of the CWC by the States Parties; (c) international cooperation in the field of chemical activities. Implementing entity: The Organisation for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons. Budget: EUR 1 6 97 000 Official Journal: L 331, 17.12.2005 Estimated duration of the action: 12 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2005/574/CFSP of 18 July 2005 — IAEA II. The objective is to strengthen nuclear security in selected countries which have received EU assistance such as: (a) strengthening the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and other Radioactive Materials in Use, Storage and Transport and of Nuclear Facilities; (b) strengthening of Security of Radioactive Materials in Non-Nuclear Applications; (c) strengthening of States’ Capabilities for Detection and Response to Illicit Trafficking; (d) legislative assistance for the implementation of States’ Obligations under IAEA safeguards agreements and additional protocols. Implementing entity: The International Atomic Energy Agency. Budget: EUR 3 9 14 000 Official Journal: L 193, 23.7.2005 Estimated duration of the action: 15 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2004/797/CFSP of 22 November 2004 — OPCW I. The objective is to support the universalisation of the CWC and in particular to promote the accession to the CWC by States not Party (signatory States as well as non-signatory States) and to support the implementation of the CWC by the States Parties. (a) promotion of universality of the CWC; (b) support for implementation of the CWC by the States Parties; (c) international cooperation in the field of chemical activities. Implementing entity: The Organisation for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons. Budget: EUR 1 8 41 000 Official Journal: L 349, 25.11.2004 Estimated duration of the action: 12 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2004/796/CFSP of 22 November 2004 — Russian Federation III. The objective is to contribute to reinforcing the physical protection of nuclear sites in Russia, so as to reduce the risk of theft of nuclear fissile material and of sabotage by improving the physical protection for fissile materials at the Bochvar Institute in Moscow (VNIINM) of the Russian Federal Agency for Atomic Energy FAAE (formerly MINATOM). Implementing entity: The Federal Republic of Germany. Budget: EUR 7 7 30 000 Official Journal: L 349, 25.11.2004 Estimated duration of the action: 36 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2004/495/CFSP of 17 May 2004 — IAEA I. The objective is to strengthen nuclear security in selected countries which have received EU assistance such as: (a) Strengthening the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and other Radioactive Materials in Use, Storage and Transport and of Nuclear Facilities; (b) Strengthening of Security of Radioactive Materials in Non-Nuclear Applications; (c) Strengthening of States’ Capabilities for Detection and Response to Illicit Trafficking. Implementing entity: The International Atomic Energy Agency. Budget: EUR 3 3 29 000 Official Journal: L 182, 19.5.2004 Estimated duration of the action: 15 months. Implemented. Council Joint Action 2003/472/CFSP of 24 June 2003 — Russian Federation II. This Joint Action aims at financing a unit of experts under the cooperation programme for non-proliferation and disarmament in the Russian Federation. Implementing entity: The Russian Federation. Budget: EUR 6 80 000 Official Journal: L 157, 26.6.2003 Expired on the date of expiry of EU Common Strategy 1999/414/CFSP on Russia. Implemented. Council Joint Action 1999/878/CFSP of 17 December 1999 — Russian Federation I. The project contributed to: (a) a chemical weapons pilot destruction plant situated in Gorny, Saratov region, Russia; (b) a set studies and experimental studies on plutonium transport, storage and disposition. Implementing entity: The Russian Federation. Budget: EUR 8 9 00 000 Official Journal: L 331, 23.12.1999 Estimated duration of the action: 48 months. Implemented.