SIPRI Yearbook 2008: summaries in three languages
Speech for the President: Official Opening of the Conference
Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Strengthening European Action on Non-proliferation and Disarmament of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, Small Arms and Light Weapons and Explosive Remnants of War
Speech for the President: Official Opening of the Conference
European Parliament, Brussels, 7 December 2005
Good evening Your Excellencies, honourable members of the European Parliament and national Parliaments, ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the European Parliament this evening to formally open this important "Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Strengthening European Action on Non-proliferation and Disarmament of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction, Small Arms and Light Weapons and Explosive Remnants of War".
Whilst I have had to work hard to be able to digest what is perhaps the longest conference title I have had to introduce; I know you have also been working hard today discussing in detail and at expert level the merits and implications of two comprehensive studies by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on 'Strengthening European Action on Non-proliferation and Disarmament'.
Before opening the floor to the Director of SIPRI, Ambassador Bailes, and to the Director of UNIDIR, Dr Lewis, to introduce these two studies I would like to reflect for a moment on the importance of such a conference for the future of Europe and the EU's rapidly developing Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
Let me remind you that it is almost two years after the historic decision by the EU Member States in December 2003 to give security policy a new prominence at the EU level in the form of the European Security Strategy (ESS).
At the same time Non-proliferation and Disarmament was underlined as a priority threat and given specific prominence in the form of the EU "Strategy against the proliferation of materials and weapons of mass destruction". After some delay this December's European Council will also adopt "A Strategy against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)".
I am pleased therefore to be opening this conference which represents the Parliament's support to seeking solutions for the successful implementation of these strategies.
It is no understatement to say that the gathering here today of experts from around Europe, and further afield, to discuss in practical terms the challenges posed by WMD and SALW proliferation, reflects our seriousness to support the implementation of the ESS and to highlight the EU's added value.
To have such a conference under the political aegis of the EU Presidency, the European Council, the European Commission and the European and national Parliaments represents our determination to seek coherent and effective policies for the Union even in the absence of the proposed Constitutional Treaty.
Those of us who are concerned about Non-proliferation and Disarmament do not need to be reminded about the urgency to act.
We have been reminded of the vulnerability of the Non-proliferation Regime this summer at the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in New York; and we hear almost daily headlines about vulnerable chemical, biological or nuclear materials that some fear will sooner or later end up in the hands of terrorists. The controversy over Iran's civilian nuclear programme reminds us of the difficulties in controlling sensitive dual-use technologies that could be diverted from peaceful uses. And yet, for all the concerns we have, we must work doubly hard to restore public confidence that these are indeed real security priorities after the misuse of intelligence on this very topic in the run up to the Iraq War. It is therefore critical that we have an open and transparent exchange between experts, governments and Parliamentarians, which contributes both to strengthening our policies and to restoring public confidence. In this spirit it is important that the Union articulates practical, peaceful and cooperative approaches in the area of WMD Non-proliferation and Disarmament.
In the area of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) there is no shortage of evidence of the problem of proliferation and death caused by these weapons. We are faced with the tragedy of over half a million people a year dying from gun violence. The proliferation of SALW has made them the weapon of choice in today's intra-sate conflicts which often take place in the poorest parts of the world, most notably in sub-Saharan Africa. SALW have been shown to fuel conflicts, hamper peace processes, and undermine socio-economic development and prospects for post-conflict reconstruction. As an active player in conflict prevention, crisis management and development, the EU’s policies are undermined by the unrestrained proliferation of SALW.
The EU also includes some of the worlds leading arms exporters and as such we have a particular responsibility to tackle the consequences of SALW proliferation. I am pleased we are making progress on this in the form of strengthening the 1998 EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, and I am also pleased by the contribution of the European Parliament to strengthening the Code in its annual reply to the Council. We, in the Parliament, look forward to strengthening international transfer controls in particular under the UN Programme of Action and the newly proposed International Arms Trade Treaty.
I am sure my colleagues, Rapporteurs Raul Romeva and Girts Valdis Kristovskis will reflect in more detail on these issues during tomorrow's conference. They have recently been responsible for shepherding two important reports through the Parliament that were debated, in the presence of Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner and the Personal Representative of Dr Solana, and adopted in Plenary in Strasbourg on 17 November.
These reports have unambiguously called for the strengthening of the Unions External Action in this area by developing a coherent policy framework and backing that up with the appropriate financial resources. You will be aware that intense discussions are underway in Brussels at the moment on this matter. Without anticipating the outcome of such discussions it is nevertheless important that we take on board the findings of expert studies such as discussed today when making decisions on policy priorities and adequate resources.
It is furthermore appropriate that alongside a technical discussion with experts, we have a political discussion amongst Parliamentarians of the 25 member states. It is a particularly important relationship that we need to strengthen if our agreed common security objectives are to be pursued through the EU and with the appropriate public support and democratic control.
I am therefore honoured that the European Parliament is hosting this event with the Union’s 25 national Parliaments. You will agree it is an important symbol of solidarity for Parliamentarians across the Union to come together to discuss how to move forward in this policy area. In itself it is an overwhelming display of support for the ESS and signals to the Council, Commission and Member States to remain focussed on the implementation of Non-proliferation and Disarmament policies.
It is this message I want to leave you with, ie the need not to loose site of the urgency for Europe to collectively meet its international responsibilities on SALW and WMD.
With this message I look forward to hearing the introductions from Ambassador Bailes and Dr Lewis, which we should reflect upon in the coming months when making important decisions about how to pursue practical, peaceful and cooperative Non-proliferation and Disarmament priorities.
Thank you Your Excellencies, honourable members, ladies and gentlemen may I wish you a successful conference tomorrow and now I would like to ask Ambassador Bailes of SIPRI and Dr Lewis of UNIDIR to take the floor.