Council Decision 2014/913/CFSPShow full title

1. OBJECTIVES U.K.

The Union is a strong promoter of missile non-proliferation. Its efforts in this regard include the Strategy and Common Position 2003/805/CFSP. In addition, the Council has endorsed ‘New lines for action by the European Union in combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems’, and the EU supported UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004), which has since been recalled in UNSC resolution 1977 (2010).

The Union considers the MTCR an important multilateral instrument which aims at curbing the proliferation of ballistic missile systems and related technologies and know-how through the establishment and the implementation of export control regulations on sensitive materials. 19 Member States are members of the MTCR and all Member States are implementing the MTCR export control list through Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009(1).

The Union has also strongly supported the Code from its inception and has expressed regular concern over ballistic missile proliferation. The Union considers the Code as a central transparency and confidence building measure. All Member States have subscribed to the Code and are implementing the Code in good faith.

In the past, the Union tried to overcome the remaining loopholes in the implementation of the Code and in its universality by organising workshops, expert meetings and regional awareness seminars. Those activities, which have been organised under Decision 2008/974/CFSP and implemented by the FRS, have proved their efficiency and relevance.

Encouraged by the outcome of those events, the Union has pursued its initiative and supported 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.

This action was undertaken under Decision 2012/423/CFSP, which allowed the development of several initiatives in support of HCoC including:

(a)

the development of a dedicated secure website;

(b)

the organisation of several side-events aimed at promoting the Code vis-à-vis non-subscribing States in Vienna, Geneva and New York;

(c)

awareness raising workshop for African and Middle Eastern Countries in Paris;

(d)

regional seminars in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Lima;

(e)

preparation of food-for-thought papers.

Decision 2012/423/CFSP has contributed to raising awareness about the Code and to its promotion vis-à-vis third countries. Through that Decision, the Union has supported Costa Rica, France, Hungary, Japan, Peru and Romania in their activities as HCoC Chairs. By raising the profile of the HCoC, it has facilitated the adherence of new members to the Code.

In view of the results achieved, and of the continued proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of delivering WMD which constitute a cause of growing concern for the international community, in particular ongoing missile programmes in the Middle-East, North-East Asia and South-East Asia, including Iran and the DPRK, the following actions will be carried out:

(a)

project 1, information and communication;

(b)

project 2, strengthening the ballistic missile non-proliferation;

(c)

project 3, universalisation of the HCoC — Outreach activities;

Going beyond the sole promotion of adherence to the Code and the MTCR, this Decision allows for the deepening of the international debate over missile proliferation and engaging new regional areas and new communities.

(1)

Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 of 5 May 2009 setting up a Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (OJ L 134, 29.5.2009, p. 1).