EN Official Journal of the European Union C 54/1

SIX-MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU STRATEGY AGAINST THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (2013/II)

2014/C 54/01

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 second half of 2013.

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 (CFSP budget, Instrument for Stability, 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 second half of 2013 (notably the IAEA General Conference, the UNGA First Committee, the G8 Non-Proliferation Directors Group, the OPCW Annual States Parties Meeting, the Open-ended Consultations on the draft International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities, the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference).

In the second semester of 2013, the Special Envoy focused on:

— enhancing efforts to uphold the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (including its Article X on withdrawal). This remains a top priority for the EU, given also its direct relevance for major regional proliferation challenges in Iran and DPRK. As the Second NPT PrepCom in Geneva (23 April-3 May 2013) was held in the shadow of the fact that a Conference on the establishment in the Middle East of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMDFZ) was not convened in 2012, efforts were intensified to manage the resulting disappointment and move the process forward. In this context, the EU continued to support the efforts of the Finnish Facilitator, also through organising informal seminars to facilitate dialogue among relevant parties with the assistance of the EU Non-Proliferation Consortium;

— taking forward the initiative on an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. The Special Envoy engaged in numerous bilateral outreach meetings with key partners, including Brazil, China and Russia. With a view to influencing the outcome of the study of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs) in Outer Space Activities, he briefed the GGE at its meetings in Geneva (2 April 2013) and New York (10 July 2013), securing in the text a recognition of the work done by the EU under the Code. On 16-17 May 2013 in Kiev and 20-22 November 2013, in Bangkok, he chaired Open-ended consultations on the draft Code, bringing together on both occasions around 140 representatives from more than 60 countries;

— 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.

Special Envoy Bylica headed the Delegation of the EU to the UNGA First Committee and attended the General Debate. He also attended the eighteenth session of the Chemical Weapons Convention Meeting of States Parties (The Hague, 2-6 December 2013) and delivered the EU statement.

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 IAEA Board of Governors meetings in September and November 2013, and the IAEA General Conference in September 2013. It provided strategic guidance and prepared EU contributions to other international events, such as the NSG Consultative Group meeting, the CTBT article XIV Conference, the CTBTO Preparatory Commission meetings, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCT), Australia Group and other relevant meetings within its mandate. It started with the preparations of the EU contributions to the Third NPT Preparatory Committee (28 April-9 May 2014). It prepared Council Conclusions (adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 October 2013) on ensuring the continued pursuit of an effective EU policy on the new challenges presented by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems.

1.1 Follow up to the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference

Discussions took place with the Chair of the Second PrepCom and the designated Chair of the Main Committee II of the NPT Review Conference in the CONOP meetings on 19 February 2013 and 11 November 2013 respectively, to prepare the 2015 Review Conference. With the same aim, three informal ‘Friends of the Chair’ sub-working groups to prepare EU contributions for the 2015 NPT Review Cycle were set up, chaired by EU Member States with EEAS participation.

On the WMDFZ in the Middle East, a subject that is central to the NPT review cycle, the HR reaffirmed in a statement dated 1 July 2013 that it remains a strategic priority of the EU to support peace and stability in the entire Middle East and once again expressed her regret that the Conference on the establishment of such a zone, agreed at the 2010 NPT Review Conference and scheduled to take place in 2012, was postponed.

The EU continued to fully support the on-going preparations for a successful Conference and in particular the tireless efforts of its Facilitator, Ambassador Laajava of Finland, and his team, to lay the groundwork in that respect. In official meetings with the League of Arab States and several Arab countries, the EU called on all parties in the region to urgently and proactively engage with the Facilitator and the Conveners with the aim of enabling the Conference to be convened as soon as possible. Close contacts were maintained with the Facilitator and his team by the EEAS at all levels.

1.2 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The EU has enhanced 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). Further on nuclear security, the EU has contributed with its technical expertise to training activities and workshops organised by IAEA and target 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. Preparations have started for a second EU-IAEA Annual Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), involving the EEAS, the European Commission/Euratom and IAEA representatives at senior level, to be held on 20-21 February 2014 in Vienna. The aim of these 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 these effect, EU (Joint Research Centre) and the IAEA have also entered into Practical Arrangements to guide their cooperation).

The EU has committed since 2008 by Council Conclusions to contribute up to EUR 25 million to the IAEA LEU (Low Enriched Uranium) Bank. The EU contributed EUR 20 million from the Instrument for Stability to support the Bank. Another contribution is to be provided from the CFSP budget, based on a Council Decision. The Council's approval is pending due to the unexpectedly slow progress in the finalisation 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 Cooperative Support Programme to enable safe and secure implementation of peaceful uses of nuclear technology in third countries.

On 17 September 2013, in the margins of the IAEA General Conference held in Vienna, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano and the European Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Nuclear Safety, establishing a framework for cooperation to help improve nuclear safety in Europe. The Memorandum is one of the important concrete results of the first EU-IAEA Senior Officials Meeting held in Brussels on 25 January 2013.

While the EU has committed EUR 10 million to support an international project aiming at expanding and modernising the Seibersdorf Safeguards Laboratory in Austria (with EUR 9,50 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) with regard to its 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, has started in October 2013 and will be finalised in 2014.

EU funds provided to IAEA under Joint Actions from 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 out of control of 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, will contribute 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 the relevant Council Decisions (2010/461/CFSP of 26 July 2010 and 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 2 States whose ratification is required for the entry into force of the Treaty. The EU will continue 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.

In this spirit, the EU addressed the informal session of the UN General Assembly that marked the observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests (5 September 2013) as well as the CTBT Art. XIV Conference on 27 September 2013 to further advocate for the entry into force of the Treaty. On 30 September-1 October 2013, the CTBTO Executive Secretary paid a visit to Brussels, occasion on which he participated as a key-note speaker in the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference and held meetings with a number of key EU officials.

In a more concrete effort, in June 2013 the EU in cooperation with the Provisional Technical Secretariat of the CTBTO, organised a side event on support provided by the EU to the Preparatory Commission’s activities and established an EU award in the framework of the CTBTO Science and Technology 2013 Conference.

On 30-31 October 2013, the EU together with the CTBTO and the Angolan authorities, organised a joint CTBT seminar in Luanda to promote the ratification by Angola, a key country in the region, during which the latter committed to ratify the Treaty in the coming months. The EU will continue to work with the CTBTO in other countries to advance towards the objective of universalization of the CTBT. The EU is also exploring ways to support the Group of Eminent Persons recently launched at the initiative of the CTBTO Executive Secretary with the aim to further promoting the entry into force of the Treaty.

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 Detection Stations Network, which is another project that the EU is 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 nuclear test of February 2013 has also shown the importance of conducting exercises such as the Integrated Field Exercise to be organised in 2014 in Jordan to test and improve real detection systems. The efforts regarding the maintenance of the 321 seismic auxiliary stations 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.

Exploratory work has started and will continue to further support the activities of the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO with EU funding.

1.4 Regional issues (Iran, DPRK)

The EU continued 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. After three rounds of E3/EU+3 talks held with the new Iranian nuclear negotiating team in October and November in Geneva, the EU High Representative, together with the Foreign Ministers of the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States), successfully concluded a meeting on 24 November in Geneva at which an agreement (known as the Joint Plan of Action) was reached with Iran on a first step towards a comprehensive solution on Iran's nuclear programme.

On 11 November 2013, the Director General of the IAEA and the Vice-President of Iran signed in Teheran a ‘Joint Statement on a Framework for Cooperation’ to strengthen the cooperation and dialogue between the Agency and Iran. As a first step, Iran and the IAEA agreed to six initial the practical measures to be taken by Iran within three months.

Regarding the DPRK, 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 and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. It strongly condemned the nuclear test conducted by the DPRK on 12 February 2013, which was an outright violation of its international obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2087, and resulted in the adoption of UNSCR 2094. 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 for 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.

2. CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT (CD)/TREATY BANNING THE PRODUCTION OF FISSILE MATERIAL FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS OR OTHER NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVE DEVICES/ UNGA 68

The UNGA 68 First Committee Resolution on the Report on the Conference on Disarmament (CD), submitted by CD Chair Ireland called upon the CD to overcome its deadlock by adopting and implementing a balanced and comprehensive program of work. It welcomed decision CD/1956/Rev.1 to establish an informal working group with a mandate to produce a program of work. Before the UNGA First Committee, the EU expressed its hope that the informal working group will lead to concrete and tangible results. The EU has also made it clear that in line with its longstanding commitment to the enlargement of the CD, it strongly supported appointing a special coordinator on the expansion of the membership. Consistent with the EU engagement with civil society, the EU also supported an enhanced interaction between civil society and the Conference on Disarmament, thus strengthening the contribution of NGOs and research institutions to the work of the Conference.

For the EU, the immediate commencement and early conclusion of the negotiation in the CD of a Treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices on the basis of document CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein remains very high on the priority list. Such a treaty constitutes an urgent necessity in the nuclear disarmament field as a complement to the NPT and the CTBT. The EU has welcomed the creation of a group of governmental experts established by resolution 67/53 of the General Assembly, which is due to meet in 2014 and 2015.

At UNGA 68, the EU delegation delivered a total of six EU statements at the plenary sessions (a general statement, as well as EU positions on nuclear weapons, the disarmament machinery, other WMD, conventional weapons and outer space). The EU participated regularly in interactive debates/panel discussions. Accordingly, on the basis of agreed speaking elements, the EEAS presented comments/questions, inter alia, at the exchange with the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and other high level officials, Assistant Secretary-General Kim Won Soo on change management, the panel on Disarmament Machinery and the introduction by the Chair of the GGE on TCBMs in outer space.

As regards EU action on the resolutions tabled at the First Committee, EU Member States voted jointly on 32 occasions, including votes on separate paragraphs. All EU MS jointly co-sponsored 9 resolutions. EU Member States were unable to achieve common vote in a total of 11 occasions.

In parallel to the First Committee, EU Delegation delivered EU statements in the Fourth Committee on the topic ‘Assistance in Mine Action’, on peaceful uses of outer space and at the GA plenary debate on the Report of the IAEA. On HCoC, see section 5 below.

3. CHEMICAL WEAPONS

Syria played a prominent role on the agenda of OPCW since the Third Review Conference and became the overwhelming issue after the summer, when Syria, under a US-Russian framework agreement, took the unprecedented decision to declare its chemical weapons to the OPCW and to accede to the CWC (Syria officially became a State Party to the CWC on 14 October 2013). The stringent plan for the elimination of chemical weapons decided by the UNSC and the OPCW has received EU support through the delivery of 10 high-specification armoured cars and satellite imagery to facilitate Phases I & II of the destruction plan (as regards the latter, Council Decision 2013/726/CFSP providing EUR 2,3 million from the CFSP budget was adopted on 9 December 2013). The EU also committed to financially contribute a substantial amount to the newly created OPCW Trust Fund in support of Phase III.

Following the Third Review Conference 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 (seven states not yet parties); (iii) shifting to non-proliferation efforts; (iv) 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.

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 nineteen 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

Following the Seventh BTWC Review Conference (Geneva, December 2011), the EU has engaged constructively in the Inter-sessional Process contributing with statements and specific working papers on: 1) international cooperation and assistance; 2) strengthening of national implementation; 3) capacity building in bio-safety and bio-security. The EU delegation delivered EU statements at the meeting of experts (Geneva, 12-16 August 2013) and the meeting of States Parties (Geneva, 9-13 December 2013). At the latter, a revised and updated version of the EU Working paper on Article X – Cooperation and Assistance was submitted.

The results of the EU action included promotion of increased adhesion to the BTWC in all geographic regions, an enhanced understanding of the BTWC among relevant national authorities and/or strengthened sub-regional networking in order to promote accession to the BTWC and promotion of voluntary implementation of the BTWC prior to ratification/accession. During the period 2009 to 2013, four States joined the Convention. Communication channels have been established with several other States not parties in Asia, Africa and Latin America, which has laid a foundation for future activities.

Through the implementation of Council Decision 2012/421/CFSP of 23 July 2012, regional workshops to enhance understanding of the BTWC among relevant national authorities, strengthened regional networking to promote accession to and implementation of the BWC, identification of needs for enhancing implementation of the BTWC, and the creation of and/or support for national and regional biosafety associations were organised by the Geneva branch of UNODA (Implementation Support Unit - ISU) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (3-4 November), for South and South-East Asia, and in Mexico City (13-14 November) for Central America and the Caribbean. National workshops were also organised in Quito, Ecuador (14 October), Burkina Faso (2-3 December) and Benin (5-6 December).

The EU is also engaged in supporting improvements in bio-safety and bio-security. In this regard, the 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. MISSILES

The EU considers the Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation (HCoC) an important 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.

Based on the Council Decision 2012/423/CFSP in support to HCoC and missile non-proliferation in general, on 15 January 2013 the EU, together with the implementing agency Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), organised a commemorative conference in Vienna to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the HCoC. On 31 May 2013, in the margins of the HCoC Annual Regular Meeting, the EU organised an outreach event in Vienna, in support of the HCoC. Further activities included, in September 2013, an outreach event in Geneva and an Awareness building session on missile technology transfer in Paris, and another well attended outreach meeting in the margins of the UNGA First Committee on 11 October 2013. An expert mission was conducted to China in September 2013 and to India in early December 2013. The first regional seminar took place in Singapore on 27 November 2013.

EU visibility was ensured, including by participation of the EU Head of Delegation and clear references to the EU funding which were echoed by nearly all speakers. Innovation was introduced through live-streaming of the event and the discussions on the internet.

The 25th MTCR Plenary Meeting took place in Rome from 16 to 18 October 2013. Two EU statements were delivered on 16 and 17 October 2013. The press release of the Plenary makes reference to both Iran and North Korea as current ballistic missile proliferation crisis areas.

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 on-going to identify standardisation needs in this area which might lead to ‘European Norms’ (EN) standards. The forthcoming Horizon 2020 programme (2014-2020) will strengthen on-going 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.

With a view to setting out a vision for policy in the coming years, during the first semester of 2014 the Commission intends to present a Communication on a new comprehensive EU CBRN-E (Explosives) Agenda, which will focus on a limited number of priority areas of clear EU added-value.

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.

The ‘EU CBRN Centres of Excellence’ (CoE) Initiative, funded through the Instrument for Stability, 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 (zoonosis and epidemics) 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.

Six regional centres are being established in: 1. North Africa (Algiers), 2. Atlantic Façade (Rabat), 3. Middle East (Amman), 4. South East Europe - Southern Caucasus - R. Moldova – Ukraine (Tbilisi), 5. South East Asia (Manila) and 6. Sub-Saharan Africa (Nairobi), and have started their work. Next step will see the opening of regional Secretariats in Central Asia (Tashkent – tbc) and Gulf Countries (Abu Dhabi). In addition to thirty-three projects adding up to EUR 26 million previously contracted, new projects amounting to around EUR 10 million are being contracted with different consortia, including from the Member States.

7. THINK TANKS

Based on the 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. During the first three years of activity, the Consortium's network grew to over 60 think-tanks across Europe. Following the successful activities organised in 2012 (first ‘EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference’ on 3-4 February and WMDFZ in the Middle East Seminar on 5-6 November 2012) a new annual international conference on Non Proliferation and Disarmament was successfully held on 30 September - 1 October 2013 preceded by the EU Second Consultative meeting held on 17 and 18 June 2013. In the meantime, the Consortium stepped up its research activities, in cooperation with other European think tanks in the field, and published working papers relevant to the implementation of the WMD Non-proliferation Strategy, available on the Consortium's website <http://www.nonproliferation.eu/>. In terms of impact, 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 activity has contributed to raising awareness about nuclear, chemical and biological weapons challenges. A new Decision was prepared for Council adoption in early 2014 to ensure that the Consortium can continue its activities for the period 2014-2016. The new Decision would entrust the Consortium with continuing traditional activities and undertaking new projects.

8. UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1540 AND EXPORT CONTROLS

(a) UNSCR 1540

A new Council Decision in support of UNSCR 1540 was adopted by the Council on 22 July 2013. It is implemented by the UNODA that organises regional workshops and country assistance visits worldwide. The implementation of this Council Decision, which just started on 24 October 2013, will help to enhance the relevant national and regional efforts, contribute to the practical fulfilment of the recommendations included in the 2009 Comprehensive Review of the status of implementation of UNSCR 1540, and initiate and develop 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.

(b) Export Controls

The European Commission completed the second stage in the review of the EU Export control regime with the adoption of a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 in 2010-2012. The report describes recent evolution of the export control rules and regulations and the actions undertaken to ensure that export controls are consistently across the EU. It also contains the first systematic EU-wide assessment of licensing data and sets out the views of stakeholders as regards the effects of export controls on security and trade, and the need to adjust control parameters to changing security, technological and economic circumstances.

On the regulatory side, discussions continued on the proposed amendment to the EU dual-use Regulation 428/2009 with a view to expediting the updates of the EU dual-use control lists, and trilogue meetings took place in September and December 2013 with a view to concluding the first reading of the proposal.

Export controls implementation was supported by two meetings of the Dual-Use Coordination Group, including a joint meeting with the representatives of the Customs administrations in November 2013. The Dual-Use Coordination Group also prepared guidelines for consultations between competent authorities.

Close cooperation with partners and third countries was ensured and, in particular, an export control dialogue with China took place in the contact of a ‘High-tech Working Group’ in October 2013.

EU coordination took place to promote the agreed EU positions in the relevant meetings of the export control regimes held in the second semester (Nuclear Suppliers Group: Consultative Group in November 2013; Wassenaar Arrangement: General Working Group in October 2013 and Plenary meeting in November 2013; Australia Group: Plenary meeting in June 2013; MTCR: Plenary meeting in October 2013). The EU (as part of the acting EU Presidency’s team) presented its outreach activities in the field of export controls of conventional arms and dual use items at the Wassenaar Arrangement General Working Group in October 2013.

The EU Export Control Outreach programme to strengthen the administrative capacity in third countries (23) in dealing with dual-use items continued. The programme is funded under the Instrument for Stability.

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 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.

On 5 June 2012, the EU had introduced to the international community in Vienna a new draft, elaborated following a series of consultations with key space faring nations.

Following the Open-ended Consultations on the draft text that were held in Kiev on 16-17 May 2013, bringing together around 140 representatives from 61 countries, the text was revised. A second round of consultation on the revised text was held in Bangkok on 20-22 November 2013, bringing together 66 countries and organisations and 133 participants. The meeting in Bangkok was encouraging in that it saw an in-depth discussion of the text itself, with procedural issues playing only a minor role, With a view to make the process more transparent and inclusive, the Special Envoy held consultations during the year with a significant number of countries, including visits to Beijing and Moscow on the eve of the Bangkok consultations.

Under Council Decision 2012/281/CFSP of 29 May 2012 in support of the Union proposal for an international Code of Conduct Outer Space Activities, the implementing agency (United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research – UNIDIR) has managed activities to raise awareness on the Code and to support the multilateral process. UNIDIR held a series of regional seminars (in Kuala Lumpur, Addis Ababa, Mexico and Astana) and organised the three larger multilateral meetings held by the EU/EEAS in Vienna, Kiev and Bangkok. The meetings in Kiev and Bangkok were supported by travel sponsorship to facilitate participation by officials and experts from third countries.

As indicated in the introduction, the Special Envoy invested considerable effort into the process related to the study of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on TCBMs in Outer Space Activities. The positive outcome of the study, which contains useful references to the EU’s proposal for a Code of Conduct, encouraged all EU Member States to co-sponsor in the UNGA First Committee the Resolution on TCBMs in Outer Space Activities, which was adopted by the Committee by consensus.

10. WMD NON-PROLIERATION 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 Brunei, Japan, and Kazakhstan. 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

G8

The EU played an active role in the meetings of the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Directors in preparing the G8 Summit Statement on non-proliferation and assisted in carrying out several demarches on the IAEA Additional Protocol and UNSCR 1540 national implementation, in association with the UK presidency.

Since its creation in 2002, the Global Partnership (GP) has expanded beyond the G8 to become a platform of coordination and cooperation, counting now 17 additional partners. At the Deauville Summit in May 2011, leaders have agreed to further strengthen biological security, 1540 implementation and nuclear security. The US in 2012 and the UK in 2013 took this agenda forward, in particular by creating four new sub-working groups on biological security, chemical security, nuclear security and Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the GP Working Group. Bringing in (other) regional organisations as well as reinforcing regional ownership have been one of the priorities of the last six months. The EU Centres of Excellence, which were at the origin of the CoE sub-working group, continued to gain momentum within the G8 Global Partnership, in particular as a tool to facilitate exchange of information regionally and, possibly, avoid duplication among donors.

12. POLITICAL DIALOGUE MEETINGS

Political dialogue meetings on non-proliferation and disarmament, mostly undertaken by the Special Envoy, were organised with Russia (in Moscow), Brazil (in Brussels) and China (in Beijing). He also held a number of informal consultations with various actors, including in the margins of important events such as the IAEA General Conference in Vienna (Republic of Korea), the UNGA First Committee in New York (including India, United States, Russia, UN Secretariat, South Africa), the G8 Non-Proliferation Directors Group in London (Canada), as well as with Kazakhstan (in Astana). The EU coordinated its positions with the US at the annual EU 28-US High-Level Dialogue on Nonproliferation, Disarmament, Arms Control and CBRN Risk Mitigation held on 13 December 2013 in Brussels.