EU Statement - Third Preparatory Committee for the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): Cluster II regional issues[...]

EU Statement - Third Preparatory Committee for the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT): Cluster II regional issues (Middle East)

5 May 2025, New York - European Union Statement on Cluster II regional issues - including with respect to the Middle East and implementation of the 1995 Middle East resolution at the Third Preparatory Committee for the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) 28 April-9 May 2025

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

Supporting peace and stability in the entire Middle East remains a strategic priority of the EU. The EU reaffirms its full support for the establishment of a zone free of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems in the Middle East. We consider the 1995 NPT Resolution valid until its goals and objectives are achieved and strongly support the outcome of the 2010 NPT Review Conference on the Middle East.

The EU notes the five sessions of the "UN Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction" and their outcomes. As stated in the 2010 Action Plan, the EU recalls that such zones can only be established on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among States of the region concerned. We strongly encourage all stakeholders, and especially the States of the region, to engage in meaningful consultations in order to build an inclusive and consensus-based process towards the implementation of the 1995 NPT Resolution.

The EU reiterates its firm support for the universalisation and full, complete, and effective implementation of the NPT and its three pillars. We continue to call on all States who have not yet done so, to accede to and abide by the NPT and all relevant WMD related Treaties. We especially call on all States of the region to sign and ratify the CTBT without delay nor precondition. We call on all States of the region to bring into force Comprehensive Safeguards Agreements and Additional Protocols and, as applicable, to amend or rescind their Small Quantities Protocols. Universal subscription to the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation would also contribute to regional confidence building necessary for progress towards WMD free zone in the Middle East.

The establishment of such a zone is not only a matter of regional security but also a crucial step towards global peace and security. It would alleviate tensions, build trust among neighbouring states, and contribute to the broader goals of disarmament and arms control.

The EU will continue to support this process and to help create a conducive atmosphere. Since 2019, the EU has allocated a total 5 million euros to the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) for this purpose. An EU side event focusing on the role of extra-regional States in the zone has been organised in the margins of this NPT PrepCom in the context of this UNIDIR project.

The EU Centres of Excellence established in Jordan, Algeria, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates also assist the Middle East region to mitigate CBRN risks and contribute to enhanced capacity building in the region and cooperation between these States.

Thank you, Chair.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.