MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference regarding the establishment of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction
5.12.2012 - (2012/2890(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Arnaud Danjean, Michael Gahler, Ioannis Kasoulides, Tunne Kelam, Krzysztof Lisek, Elena Băsescu on behalf of the PPE Group
B7‑0537/2012
European Parliament resolution on the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference regarding the establishment of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the statement by Catherine Ashton, Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the postponement of the Helsinki Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction of 24 November 2012,
– having regard to the six-monthly progress report from the Council of 7August 2012 on the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (2012/I)[1],
– having regard to Council Decision 2012/422/CFSP ‘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’ of 23 July 2012,
– having regard to Council Decision 2010/799/CFSP, ‘in support of a process of confidence‑building leading to the establishment of a zone free of WMD and their means of delivery in the Middle East and in support of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction’ of 13 December 2010,
– having regard to Council Decision 2010/430/CFSP establishing a European Network of independent non-proliferation think tanks (EU non-proliferation consortium) in support of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction of 26 July 2010,
– having regard to the Council endorsement of ‘New lines for action by the European Union in combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems’ of 8-9 December 2008,
– having regard to the Joint Declaration of the Paris Summit for the Mediterranean of 13 July 2008,
– having regard to the adoption by the Council of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction of 12 December 2003,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the cancellation of the conference on Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction (MEWMDFZ) envisioned in the 2010 Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference could have a negative impact on regional security and international denuclearisation efforts;
B. whereas the ongoing negotiations for peace in the Middle East are crucial to promoting mutual confidence and security in the Middle East, including the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ), and to continuing work towards the establishment of a NWFZ in the Middle East;
C. whereas the HR/VP welcomed the appointment by the UN Secretary-General of Jaakko Laajava as facilitator and of Finland as host government for the 2012 Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction;
D. whereas the EU supports the ongoing preparations for the conference, with the participation of all states of the region, and with a view to a successful outcome, against the backdrop of turmoil and political change taking place in the Middle East;
E. whereas the EU encourages all states of the region to continue their constructive engagement with the facilitator to take further initiatives towards achieving the complete elimination of all weapons of mass destruction – whether they be nuclear, chemical or biological – in the region, alongside their delivery systems;
1. Welcomes the vigorous encouragement of the continued involvement of the EU in the process towards the establishment of a WMDFZ in the Middle East; considers that declarations of good intentions represent a first step towards breaking the current stalemate; is of the opinion that only a solution to the Middle East conflict between Israel and the Arabs will create the confidence necessary for the eventual establishment of a WMDFZ in the Middle East;
2. Welcomes the role of the United Nations in the establishment of a mutually verifiable NWFZ;
3. Underlines the importance of the ongoing dialogue on a Middle Eastern WMD-free zone with a view to exploring the broad framework and the interim steps that would strengthen regional peace and security; stresses that key elements should include compliance with comprehensive IAEA safeguards (and an additional protocol), a ban on the production of fissile material for weapons, and on uranium enrichment beyond normal fuel grade, accession to the treaties prohibiting biological and chemical weapons, and the establishment of a NWFZ in the region of the Middle East; stresses that these measures would greatly enhance international peace and security;
4. Regrets the fact that of the Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction has been postponed, a conference that the 2010 Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty had scheduled for 2012; believes that this conference should discuss a broad agenda that covers regional security and all WMD issues and that it must operate solely on the basis of consensus among regional parties;
5. Calls on states in the region to address the need to issue a call for a meeting to explore the terms for a successful conference; calls on all parties to agree on the purpose and scope of a conference, taking into account the legitimate security interests of all states in the region;
6. Calls on all parties concerned to take a step towards the establishment of an effectively verifiable Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction – whether they be nuclear, chemical or biological – and their delivery systems;
7. Calls for effective and verifiable measures which would facilitate the establishment of a NWFZ in the Middle East and look at the conditions for the creation of a NWFZ and make recommendations to this end, including a list of confidence-building measures;
8. Calls on all the states concerned, pending the establishment of a NWFZ in the region of the Middle East, to declare their support for the establishment of such a zone;
9. Regrets that – despite extensive international support and a catalogue of resolutions endorsed by all states in the region – practical progress has been stymied by sharp disagreements between these states over the terms for, and the sequence of steps leading to, the establishment of the zone;
10. Calls on the VP/HR to continue to work with the EU’s partners to support an outcome which allows states in the region to approach this issue on the basis of mutual respect and understanding, and with acknowledgement of the challenges inherent in advancing regional security and arms control;
11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Secretary- General of the UN and the Secretary-General of NATO.
- [1] OJ C 237, 7.8.2012, p. 1.