Council Decision 2008/974/CFSP

of 18 December 2008

in support of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation in the framework of the implementation of the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 13(3) and Article 23(1) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted the EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, Chapter III of which contains a list of measures that need to be taken both within the European Union (EU) and in third countries to combat such proliferation.

(2)

The EU is actively implementing this Strategy and giving effect to the measures listed in Chapters II and III thereof, for example by releasing financial resources to support specific projects leading to the enhancement of a multilateral non-proliferation system and multilateral confidence building measures. The Hague Code of Conduct against ballistic missile proliferation (hereinafter ‘the Code’ or ‘HCoC’ is an integral part of that system. It aims at preventing and curbing the proliferation of ballistic missile systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction and related technologies.

(3)
On 17 November 2003, the Council adopted Common Position 2003/805/CFSP1 on the universalisation and reinforcement of multilateral agreements in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and means of delivery. That Common Position calls, inter alia, for the promotion of the subscription of as many countries as possible to the Code, especially those with ballistic missile capabilities, as well as for the further development and implementation of the Code, especially its confidence building measures, and for the promotion of a closer relationship between the Code and the UN multilateral non-proliferation system.
(4)

On 23 May 2007, the Council decided to take action to promote the universality of the Code and compliance with its principles. To that end, a workshop was organised in the margins of the 2007 Annual Meeting of Subscribing States which brought together States with major ballistic missile capabilities, including those which did not subscribe to the Code. It is a priority of the EU to continue this dialogue among subscribing and non-subscribing States with the aim of further promoting the universality of the Code as well as its better implementation and enhancement. This Decision should contribute to this process,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: