Comprehensive ban on nuclear testing

SUMMARY OF:

Joint Action 2007/468/CFSP — support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE JOINT ACTION?

It aims to support the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-BanTreaty (CTBT) and the need to rapidly build up the CTBT verification regime.

KEY POINTS

The signatory states to the CTBT, adopted in 1996, set up a Preparatory Commission to carry out the effective implementation of the CTBT pending the establishment of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO).

2 of the most important elements of the EU’s Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction are the early entry into force of the CTBT and the improvement of the capabilities and the operational performance of the CTBTO’s monitoring and verification system. To achieve these objectives, the EU provides financial support for specific projects conducted by the Preparatory Commission.

The projects for which the EU has provides financing concern:

• support for the development of capacity in the area of noble gas* monitoring and verification: the objective is to have 90% of International Monitoring System stations operational by the beginning of 2008. In addition, the number of operational stations capable of monitoring the presence of noble gases in the atmosphere needs to be increased before the Treaty comes into force. Currently only 25% of the projected number are operational or under construction.
• support for the Integrated Field Exercise held in Kazakhstan in 2008 in the context of the On-Site Inspection Mechanism: The EU support focused on 3 areas: transportation, establishment of operational base-camps, and an evaluation workshop.

The projects are carried out by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO.

The sum of €1,670,000 is earmarked for these projects, which are described in detail in the annex to the Joint Action.

FROM WHEN DOES THE JOINT ACTION APPLY?

It has applied since 28 June 2007 for a period of 15 months following the conclusion of the financing arrangements between the Commission and the CTBTO.

BACKGROUND

In 2003, the EU described how the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (Decision 2003/567/CFSP) could be brought into force as rapidly as possible, thus implementing Common Position 1999/533/CFSP.

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Joint Action 2007/468/CFSP of 28 June 2007 on support for activities of the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) in order to strengthen its monitoring and verification capabilities and in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (OJ L 176, 6.7.2007, pp. 31-38)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

EU strategy against proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Council of the European Union, 10.12.2003

Council Decision 2003/567/CFSP of 21 July 2003 implementing Common Position 1999/533/CFSP relating to the European Union’s contribution to the promotion of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (OJ L 192, 31.7.2003, p. 53)

Council Common Position 1999/533/CFSP of 29 July 1999 relating to the European Union’s contribution to the promotion of the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) (OJ L 204, 4.8.1999, pp. 1-2)

last update 27.09.2018