nonproliferation.eu October / November 2013, Issue No. 12 Editorial The EU Non-Proliferation Consortium held its second The adoption of the ATT international conference in Brus- sels on 30 September and 1st ‘‘ October 2013. This event closed marked a historic step the Consortium’s first triennial programme of work. This News- letter edition covers the event in detail and provides links to all the Given the significant increase in Luc Mampaey, Phd in Economics, joined relevant documents pertaining to the volume of the global arms the GRIP in 1993. He successively served the conference (see page 3). as a researcher, project manager, and deputy trade in recent years, it is essen- director before being appointed’’ director of the GRIP in May 2012. His research interests The two days of debate, which tial to develop regulation and and publications focus on the development were placed under the auspices of the defence industry in the United States of “constructive pessimism”, a control instruments to prevent and the European Union and, more generally, term that was frequently cited by these arms from falling into the on issues related to defence and peace economics. Throughout both speakers and participants, his professional career he was a technical NCO in the Belgian were marked by a desire to wrong hands. armed forces (1975-1983) and a production engineer in a private favour positive approaches in a company in the aviation sector (1983-1993). recent international context that is complex to say the least. Events What characterizes the GRIP in weaknesses of such a Treaty? In 2009 was launched the direc- in the Middle East in recent the European landscape of stra- What possible impact could it tive 2009/43/EC simplifying months in particular, namely tegic research? have on its exports of weapons? terms and conditions of transfers forced Syrian disarmament and the changing of the guard in of defence-related products wit- Teheran, were commented upon The GRIP was founded in 1979, The adoption of the ATT marked a hin the European Community. with a mixture of satisfaction and at the heart of the Cold War, in the historic step in global arms control What have been the results of prudence. particular context of great civilian policies since it is the first multi- this evolution? mobilizations opposed to the arms lateral instrument regulating the The broad range of the subjects race and, more precisely, the instal- international trade in conventional The transposition of the Directive addressed bore witness to the lation of US Cruise and Pershing arms including small arms and 2009/43/EC into national law has ambitiousness of the meeting, missiles on the soil of several Euro- light weapons and their ammuni- been a difficult process for some which was a success in terms of pean countries. Stuck between pa- tion. One of its strongest elements member states, which have not both participation and the quality cifist movements’ radical positions is the requirement for states to been able to respect the deadlines of the discussion. Next Decem- and rather rigid stances among refuse a transfer in certain circums- laid down in the Directive. It is too ber the EU will mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of its chancelleries, this “Euromissiles tances. It also creates binding obli- early to analyse the implementa- Strategy against the Proliferation crisis” revealed the limitations of gations for governments to assess tion of the Directive and the effi- of WMD. In this perspective, the reflexion on strategic issues an export in light of certain criteria, ciency of the new transfer licensing the ongoing constitution of a in Europe. Acting as the missing notably, risks that the weapons will system. It is also too early to eva- European identity in the fields link between those two separa- be used to violate rules of inter- luate whether it has eased the admi- of security and non-proliferation ted spheres, the GRIP was at that national human rights and huma- nistrative burden on the European is worthy of note. This process time one of the first independent nitarian law, or to commit acts of defence industries and national au- involves the majority of European francophone research centre trea- terrorism or to fuel transnational thorities, and whether it improved member States, institutions, and ting questions of disarmament and organized crime. Since the treaty’s the security of the supply chain. civil society, and the network of conflicts prevention. Within its 35 text is a compromise between 193 For instance, the certification pro- think tanks established by the years of existence, the GRIP has states, it contains some important cess, which is a central guarantee EU Non-Proliferation Consortium known important transformations weaknesses notably in the list and on the reliability of the recipient three years ago is now a perma- nent fixture in this landscape. but preserves its hybrid profile. the definitions of arms covered and Interviewin the frame conducted of general by licences, The GRIP have strived to conci- the absence of a specific provision Nameseems to be underused. Only 20 liate on the one hand, a permanent for public reporting on arms trans- Functionenterprises from 8 member states Benjamin Hautecouverture educational vocation aiming to fers. Those elements could limit Thinkhave beentank (ACRO.),certified Cityaccording to EU Non-Proliferation Consortium enhance understanding on complex the effectiveness of the instrument. CERTIDER – the European Com- / Fondation pour la Recherche international relations issues for an The ATT will probably not require mission’s website listing the cer- Stratégique (FRS) audience as wide as possible, and EU member states to introduce ma- tified defence-related enterprises. on the other hand, to develop the jor changes in their export control Moreover, experts are wondering expertise of an independent and regimes as similar standards are whether the margin left to member objective research institute capable already included in the EU Law. It states in determining the content of of producing high level analyses is therefore important for the EU to the licenses may constitute an obs- destined to policy makers. focus on outreach and promotion tacle in achieving the objectives of activities in order to guarantee a the Directive. Belgium signed the Arms Trade quick entry into force and the im- Treaty (ATT) adopted the 2 April plementation of the ATT. Interview conducted by 2013. What are the strengths and Boris le Polain Research Assistant, FRS, Paris EU Non-Proliferation Consortium the european network of independent non-proliferation think tanks EU Institutional news 7th68th BTWCSession of Review the UN ConfeGeneral- UNSC Resolution on Syrian Chemical Weapons Assembly First Committee rence: the EU position The 15 members of the UN Security Council ness to support actions foreseen under the The 68th Session of the UN Gene- unanimously voted a resolution on Syrian che- resolution as well as under the decision of the ralOn Assembly 18th July First 2011, Committee the mical weapons the 27 September 2013. This OPCW Executive Council”. According to her, openedCouncil October, of the 7European in New-York. resolution establishes a framework for over- the international answer to the chemical crisis UnionOn the openingadopted day a decisionof the general on coming the ongoing crisis in Syria. It requires in Syria must be seen as part of a comprehen- thedebate, objectives the EU Special and positions Envoy for the verification and destruction of Syria’s che- sive approach. In her words, the international Non-Proliferation and Disarma- of the Union at the Seventh mical weapons stockpiles, calls for a construc- community “must not lose sight of the most Reviewment, Ambassador Conference Jacek of Bylica the therein reiterated the views and tive engagement from Syria to the Geneva II important goal: ending the violence and hea- ambitionsStates Parties of the toEU. the BTWC, conference and endorses the establishment of ding towards a peaceful and democratic tran- due to take place from 5th a transitional governing body in Syria, with sition in Syria”. In the meantime, Catherine –Ambassador 22nd December Bylica first 2011. In full executive powers. Ashton reiterated the importance of providing highlighted the positive develop- particular, the Union will access to humanitarian aid in the country. supportments witnessed the intersessional these last months, and underlined the importance EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, ofprocess the UN and as a willfundamental make propo - speaking on behalf of the EU on September, UN Security Council Resolution, S/RES/2118, frameworksitions aimed for effective at strengthening multila- 28 2013 in Brussels, hailed this resolution as a 27 September 2013 teralismcompliance and cooperation. with the Conven In this - “major step towards a sustainable and unified tioncontext, and he the warmly role welcomedof the ISU the international response to the crisis in Syria”. Catherine Ashton’s Statement on UNSCR adoption of the landmark Arms (prolongation of mandate, She added that “the EU reiterates its readi- 2118 expansionTrade Treaty of (ATT) the currentand the posi staff,- tive outcomes of the Third Review Conferenceetc.) of the Chemical Wea- pons Convention (CWC), noting Eighth Article XIV Conference in Support of the Councilthat the EU Decision has already 2011/429/ allocated CFSP,12 million relating euros toto support the position the Entry-into-Force of the CTBT ofactivities the European of the OPCW. Union With for theregard Seventh to the investigation Review Confe into the- The Article XIV Conference is a biennial event the universalization of the CTBT and urges use of chemical weapons in Syria, rence of the States Parties to the purpose of which is to accelerate the Com- all the countries to promote and ratify it. Mr. the EU notes the Secretary Gene- prehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’s (CTBT) Linkevičius stressed also the importance of a ral’sthe Conventionmechanism as on “an the important pro- ratification and to promote its entry-into-force.