Motion for a resolution - B8-0132/2019Motion for a resolution
B8-0132/2019

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the EU

12.2.2019 - (2019/2574(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Jozo Radoš, Marietje Schaake, Hilde Vautmans on behalf of the ALDE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0128/2019

Procedure : 2019/2574(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B8-0132/2019
Texts tabled :
B8-0132/2019
Texts adopted :

B8‑0132/2019

European Parliament resolution on the future of the INF Treaty and the impact on the EU

(2019/2574(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, signed in Washington on 8 December 1987 by the then President of the United States and the President of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union),

–  having regard to the statement by US President Donald Trump on 21 October 2018 threatening the withdrawal of the US from the INF Treaty,

–  having regard to President Trump’s statement of 1 February 2019 confirming the withdrawal of the US from the INF Treaty,

–  having regard to the statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin of 2 February 2019 confirming his government’s suspension of Russia’s participation in the treaty,

–  having regard to the statement of both the US and Russia, which sets out that they are to withdraw from the INF Treaty after a six-month period,

–  having regard to the statement on the INF Treaty issued by NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels on 4 December 2018,

–  having regard to the remarks by Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) Federica Mogherini at the seventh EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Conference, held in Brussels on 18 and 19 December 2018,

–  having regard to its resolution of 27 October 2016 on nuclear security and non-proliferation[1],

–  having regard to the Joint declaration on EU-NATO cooperation, signed on 10 July 2018 in Brussels,

–  having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the INF Treaty was signed between the United States and the Soviet Union in 1987 as an arms control agreement eliminating all land-based ballistic and cruise missiles and launchers with a range of between 500 and 5 500 km;

B.  whereas the INF Treaty required the US and Soviet Union to destroy their stockpiles; whereas by May 1991 some 2 692 missiles had been eliminated in accordance with the terms of the treaty;

C.  whereas Europe was the principal beneficiary of the INF Treaty; whereas the scope of the INF Treaty is far greater than that of Europe’s collective security, and has become a pillar of international peace and stability;

D.  whereas in 2014 the US administration, the Obama administration, stated that Russia was ‘in violation of its obligations under the INF Treaty not to possess, produce or flight-test a ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM) with a range capability of 500 km to 5 500 km, or to possess or produce launchers for such missiles’; whereas the subsequent reports, published in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, reiterated US allegations of Russia’s continued violation of the treaty;

E.  whereas the US and NATO have repeatedly questioned Russia about its missile development activities, in particular as regards the 9M729 missile system, which they consider to be in breach of the INF Treaty;

F.  whereas on 20 October 2018 President Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the treaty as a result of Russia’s non-compliance and China’s non-participation; whereas on 4 December 2018, after the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers,, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, announced that the US had found Russia in material breach of the Treaty and would suspend its obligations as a remedy effective in 60 days unless Russia returned to full and verifiable compliance;

G.  whereas on 4 December 2018 NATO released a statement in support of the US findings, which revealed that Russia is in material breach of its obligations under the treaty, and called on Russia to return urgently to full and verifiable compliance with the treaty;

H.  whereas Russia’s denial of violating the INF Treaty directly prompted a lack of confidence in or enforcement of the INF Treaty; whereas prior to the withdrawal of the US from the treaty, Russia confirmed that it would deploy RS-26 intercontinental ballistic missiles 1 200 km east of Moscow in early 2019;

I.  whereas on 1 February 2019 the US announced that it would suspend its obligations under the INF Treaty and begin the process of withdrawing from it unless Russia returned to compliance with its terms within 180 days; whereas on 2 February 2019 Russia made a similar decision to suspend its participation in the treaty; whereas NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called on Russia to take advantage of the six-month period offered by the US to return to full compliance;

1.  Recalls the pivotal role of the INF Treaty in promoting global non-proliferation, disarmament and European and world security; unreservedly supports the continuation of the INF Treaty;

2.  Condemns Russia for continuing to breach the INF Treaty; calls on Russia to demonstrate full and verifiable compliance in order to address the concerns raised by the US and NATO and enable the continuation of the INF Treaty;

3.  Recognises the importance of full transparency and dialogue in the interests of building trust and confidence in the implementation of the INF Treaty and any other agreement which reinforces strategic stability and security; encourages, in light of the above, the renewal of constructive dialogue between the US and Russia and calls for negotiations to be pursued in good faith on effective measures relating to their nuclear arsenals;

4.  Expresses its regret at both parties’ suspension of the INF Treaty; is concerned that a potential miscalculation and misperception between the US and Russia could lead to an escalation of tensions and a new missile race;

5.  Remains fully committed to effective international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation; urges the US and Russia to renew the 2010 New START agreement, which is due to expire in 2021;

6.  Urges the VP/HR to use the six-month window to engage in dialogue with both signatory states, while offering the EU’s mediation expertise and experience, with a view reaching an agreement on the INF Treaty in an effort to prevent both the US and Russia from withdrawing from it; further urges the VP/HR, after the six-month period, to offer an alternative and encourage the negotiation of a new arms deal between the US and Russia, which could include maximum levels or geographical limitations for the use of nuclear weapons missiles;

7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the European External Action Service, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the President and Members of Congress of the United States, the President of the Russian Federation, the Members of the Russian State Duma and Federation Council, and NATO.

 

Last updated: 14 February 2019
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