1. Objectives U.K.
The objective of this Decision is to implement the policy recommendation, laid down by the Council on 8 December 2008 in a document ‘New lines for action by the European Union in combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems’. According to this document, the action of the Union to counter proliferation could benefit from the support provided by a non-governmental non-proliferation network, bringing together foreign policy institutions and research centres specialising in the Union’s strategic areas while building on useful networks which already exist. Such a network could be extended to institutions in third countries with which the Union is conducting specific dialogues in connection with non-proliferation.
This network of independent non-proliferation think tanks would aim to encourage political and security-related dialogue and the long-term discussion of measures to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) 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 work of the network is to be extended to issues related to conventional weapons, including small arms and light weapons (SALW), including measures to ensure the continuous implementation of the EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition (EU SALW Strategy). The network will help to develop new facets of the Union’s action to cover both the preventive and reactive dimensions of security issues related to conventional weapons, including the illicit trade and excessive accumulation of SALW and their ammunition, as foreseen by the EU SALW Strategy. Preventing the illegal and unregulated trade of conventional weapons, including SALW, has also been recognised as a priority of the Union in the framework of the Arms Trade Treaty process.
The network could contribute to enhancing awareness of third countries of challenges related to WMD proliferation and conventional weapons, including the illicit trade and excessive accumulation of SALW and their ammunition, and of the need to work in cooperation with the Union and in the context of multilateral fora, in particular the United Nations, in order to prevent, deter, halt and where possible, eliminate proliferation programmes of concern worldwide and the illicit trade and excessive accumulation of SALW and their ammunition.
The Union wishes to support this network as follows:
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),
through creating an Internet platform to facilitate contacts and foster research dialogue among the network of non-proliferation think tanks.