CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT HEARS ADDRESS BY JAVIER SOLANA, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The Conference on Disarmament this morning heard a statement by Javier Solana, the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, who urged the Conference to move forward because the world could not afford the ongoing stalemate and because the Conference was the only place to forge a credible disarmament plan shared by nuclear weapon States and non nuclear weapon States alike.

Mr. Solana said that it was a great pleasure for him to be back in the Council Chamber and in this important forum. Disarmament was an issue of great importance and an enormous challenge in today’s world. The key question was whether the United Nations disarmament and arms control architecture would live up to their hopes. The Conference on Disarmament was a key part of this architecture, it had a long history; it was here that crucial treaties had been negotiated, signed and approved. These achievements should act as a source of inspiration.

But the last ten years had been a lost decade, underlined Mr. Solana. When the United Nations Secretary-General had addressed the Conference on Disarmament at the beginning of this year, he had made clear that he was deeply troubled by the lack of progress. It was puzzling that during an entire decade and despite enormous efforts, there was still no agreement even on how to address the issues and it which order to tackle them.

It was time to move forward, stressed Mr. Solana. The world could not afford this on-going stalemate. The European Union would do whatever possible in order to revitalise the Conference on Disarmament. Multilateral arms control treaties could also be negotiated outside the established international framework and sometimes even with great success, such as the treaty banning antipersonnel mines. But these efforts did not help the necessary strengthening of comprehensive international agreements on weapons of mass destructions and other arms; it was the responsibility of the Conference on Disarmament.

The Conference on Disarmament was the only place to forge a credible plan shared by nuclear weapon States and non nuclear weapon States alike. The thinking on nuclear disarmament had also recently evolved, noted Mr. Solana. In the United States, several political personalities had called for practical measures to reach the ultimate goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. In the European Union, several had made similar comments, calling for the immediate start of negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons purposes.

Mr. Solana said that a work plan was before the members of the Conference on Disarmament. It would allow them to start negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. For the European Union, it was urgent and important to launch these negotiations. The current proposed work plan would also allow engaging in substantive discussions, not just an exchange of views, on the other important issues such as nuclear disarmament, the prevention of an arms race in outer space and negative security assurances. It would also allow the Conference on Disarmament to work on all other issues on the agenda. The United Nations Secretary-General had said that it would not deprive any county of the ability to assert its national position in the subsequent phases of work.

The proposed plan of work was a good one to get back to work. The European Union had listened to the difficulties some States had with it and they remained open to discuss any specific security concerns. But they had found no argument that would justify a prolonged hibernation of the Conference on Disarmament, said Mr. Solana. He personally called on all countries to join the emerging consensus.

Turning to the other important issues on the disarmament agenda, Mr. Solana said that the European Union was ready to work on all three pillars of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Speaking about the NPT Review Conference of 2010, he said that it presented them with a unique opportunity. But he noted that the NPT could only fulfil its role if they were confident about the compliance by all States with their obligations under the treaty. The European Union had been further actively engaged, with others, to ensure the full compliance with the NPT, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Further, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty was fundamental, said Mr. Solana; it had been one of the Conference on Disarmament’s great successes. But a new momentum was needed for it to enter into force without delay. The European Union called on all States to sign and ratify it. On the issue of the prevention of an arms race in outer space, it was noted that there was a draft proposal for a treaty by the Russian Federation. This topic was of great importance, the issue had to be addressed. However, the time might not be ripe yet politically to aim for a treaty. Thus, as an intermediate step the European Union was working on a code of conduct, which could help build transparency and confidence. This document would be presented later this year to the Conference on Disarmament.

There were of course many other aspects to non-proliferation and disarmament but Mr. Solana felt that it was foremost important to end the impasse and get started on the basis of a balanced work plan. The Conference had to meet peoples’ expectations.

Today was the last public plenary in the second part of the 2008 session of the Conference on Disarmament. The third part of the session will be held from 28 July to 12 September and the next public plenary of the Conference will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 29 July.