Chemical weapons

The European Council of 12 and 13 December 2003 adopted the strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which in particular relates to combating chemical weapons. The present Joint Action follows on from the European Union (EU) commitment to support the activities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and identifies seven priority projects.

ACT

Council Joint Action 2007/185/CFSP of 19 March 2007 on support for OPCW activities in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction [Official Journal L 85, 19.3.2007].

SUMMARY

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) play a crucial role in creating a world free of chemical weapons.

Chapter III of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction recognises the importance of this and commits the EU to working towards universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

The Joint Action sets four objectives:

• promotion of the universality of the CWC;
• support for full implementation of the CWC by the signatory States;
• cooperation in the field of chemical activities, accompanying the implementation of the CWC;
• support for the creation of a collaborative framework between the chemical industry, the OPCW and national authorities.

The OPCW projects corresponding to the Community priorities aim at the:

• promotion of the CWC by carrying out regional, sub-regional and bilateral activities designed to increase the membership of the OPCW;
• provision of sustained technical support to signatory States for the establishment and effective functioning of national authorities;
• strengthening of the signatory States capacities to respond and develop assistance and protection programmes against chemical weapons;
• establishment of a freely accessible database for identification of the chemicals indicated by the CWC;
• strengthening of international cooperation to facilitate the implementation of the CWC;
• support for an OPCW Industry and Protection Forum in the framework of the 10th anniversary of the OPCW;
• support for visits to chemical weapons destruction facilities (CWDFs) and/or CWDF construction sites.

The Annex to the Joint Action sets out the details of the seven projects which will be fully funded by the EU (total cost: EUR 1 700 000) and implemented by the OPCW over a period of eighteen months.

The beneficiaries of universality-related activities are States not party to the CWC (both signatory States and non-signatory States). The beneficiaries of implementation-related activities are non-EU States party to the CWC.

Last updated: 22.06.2007