Richard Bruton
Ceist:55 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on developments at EU level towards the framing of a comprehensive EU strategy on weapons of mass destruction non-proliferation. [26798/03]
Written Answers. - Weapons of Mass Destruction.
The General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, on 16 June agreed a set of basic principles for an EU strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, together with an action plan for their implementation. The action plan was subsequently endorsed by the European Council which declared its development and implementation to be a matter of priority. The Thessaloniki European Council also issued a declaration on WMD and envisaged that a formal EU strategy to address the threat of proliferation would be completed by the end of the year.
Progress has been made by the EU towards a number of goals pursuant to the action plan. These include progressing the scope of international export control regimes, supporting the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency, improving co-operative threat reduction with the Russian Federation, reviewing EU export controls in preparation for accession and strengthening multi-lateralism in the fight against WMD proliferation.
GAERC, on 17 and 18 November next, will hear a comprehensive progress report on developments since Thessaloniki, detailing fully all the work carried out by the Union to date. Ireland has traditionally been active in the non-proliferation and disarmament field and is supportive of efforts to give the EU a higher profile in this area. We believe that the basic principles and action plan agreed in June have provided a useful basis for discussion and action at every level within the Union on this issue. We look forward to working with partners on this important issue during our Presidency of the EU next year.