Article 1U.K.
1.For the purposes of contributing to the enhanced implementation of the EU WMD Strategy, which is based on the principles of effective multilateralism, prevention and cooperation with third countries, a European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks is hereby established to further the following objectives:
(a)to encourage political and security-related dialogue and long-term discussion of measures to combat the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems within civil societies, and more particularly among experts, researchers and academics;
(b)to provide those participating in the relevant preparatory bodies of the Council with the opportunity to consult the network on issues related to non-proliferation and to enable the representatives of Member States to participate in the network’s meetings chaired by the representative of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR);
(c)to constitute a useful stepping stone for non-proliferation action by the Union and the international community, in particular by providing a report and/or recommendations to the representative of the HR;
(d)to contribute to enhancing awareness of third countries of proliferation challenges and of the need to work in cooperation with the Union and in the context of multilateral fora, in particular the United Nations, to prevent, deter, halt and where possible, eliminate proliferation programmes of concern worldwide.
2.In the light of the EU SALW Strategy, the scope of activities of the proposed European network of independent non-proliferation think tanks shall not be limited to addressing questions related to the threats posed by the proliferation of WMD, but shall also cover issues related to conventional weapons, including SALW. The inclusion of conventional weapons issues in the field of activity of the network will offer an outstanding tool for dialogue and recommendation on action of the Union in this area within the framework of the implementation of the EU SALW Strategy and the Union’s policy on conventional weapons.
3.In this context, the projects to be supported by the Union shall cover the following specific activities:
(a)providing means for the organisation of a kick-off meeting and an annual conference with a view to submitting a report and/or recommendations to the representative of the HR;
(b)providing financial and technical means for the creation of an Internet platform to facilitate contacts and foster research dialogue among the network of think tanks analysing WMD and conventional weapons-related issues, including SALW.
A detailed description of the projects is set out in the Annex.