Non-proliferation of arms of mass destruction: a role for the European Parliament

The Council approved a series of documents dealing with implementation of the EU's strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction:

1) Progress report and updated list of priorities: the Council endorsed a six-monthly progress report on the implementation of the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and an updated list of priorities for its implementation in the future. This progress report has been established following coordination between the office of the high representative's personal representative for non-proliferation of WMD and the Commission;

2) Joint action on support for OCPW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) activities: the Council adopted a joint action on support for the Organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW) activities in the framework of implementation of the EU strategy against the proliferation of WMD, which will expire one year after its adoption. The EU will support activities of the OPCW with the following objectives:

• promotion of universality of the chemical weapons convention (CWC);

• support for full implementation of the CWC by states parties;

• international cooperation in the field of chemical activities, as accompanying measures to the implementation of the CWC.

A financial contribution is set at EUR 1 697 000 and will be funded from the 2006 general budget of the EU.

3) Peer review of Member States' export control systems for dual use goods: the Council took note of a report on progress made in 2005 to implement the recommendations of the peer review of Member States' export control systems for dual use goods. Since export controls on sensitive items are a key element in the fight against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the EU strategy against the proliferation of WMD adopted by the European Council in December 2003 called for a peer review of Member States' export controls. The peer review was conducted in 2004 and it produced a number of recommendations for further action both at national and EU level.