The Council approved a series of documents dealing with implementation of the EU's strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction:

1) Progress report and updated list of priorities: the Council endorsed a six-monthly progress report on the implementation of the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and an updated list of priorities for its implementation in the future. This progress report has been established following coordination between the office of the high representative's personal representative for non-proliferation of WMD and the Commission;

2) Joint action on support for OCPW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) activities: the Council adopted a joint action on support for the Organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW) activities in the framework of implementation of the EU strategy against the proliferation of WMD, which will expire one year after its adoption. The EU will support activities of the OPCW with the following objectives:

• promotion of universality of the chemical weapons convention (CWC);

• support for full implementation of the CWC by states parties;

• international cooperation in the field of chemical activities, as accompanying measures to the implementation of the CWC.

A financial contribution is set at EUR 1 697 000 and will be funded from the 2006 general budget of the EU.

3) Peer review of Member States' export control systems for dual use goods: the Council took note of a report on progress made in 2005 to implement the recommendations of the peer review of Member States' export control systems for dual use goods. Since export controls on sensitive items are a key element in the fight against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the EU strategy against the proliferation of WMD adopted by the European Council in December 2003 called for a peer review of Member States' export controls. The peer review was conducted in 2004 and it produced a number of recommendations for further action both at national and EU level.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Girts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS (UEN, LV), and issued an urgent call for effective measures to combat the spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Parliament stated that we are now entering a new and dangerous period that raises the possibility of a WMD arms race, especially in the Middle East , North-East Asia and South Asia. On the risks of proliferation, Parliament rejected the development of new-generation nuclear weapons (so-called mini-nukes or bunker-busting bombs) and changes in nuclear doctrines and called on the US administration to permanently stop such developments. It welcomed the willingness of the US Senate and Congress not to make available any further funding for the development of mini-nukes. It strongly believed that nuclear disarmament activity will contribute significantly to international security and reduce the risk of thefts of plutonium by terrorists.

European Union WMD policy: Parliament stressed that the priorities for the EUshould be:

-continuation of political commitment at the international level to promote implementation of the EU WMD Strategy;

-greater emphasis on disarmament initiatives as well as non-proliferation issues;

-strengthening of the multilateral treaties making up the non-proliferation regimes;

-emphasis on non-proliferation and risks associated with the use of WMD by terrorists;

-provision of the financial resources needed to implement the EU WMD Strategy.

EU practice of establishing clauses on non-proliferation of WMD : Parliament w elcomed the inclusion of clauses concerning non-proliferation of WMD in the latest European Union agreements with third countries and action plans, but pointed out that such measures must be strictly implemented by all the Union's partners without exception. All states which have a cooperation agreement with the EU, and nuclear-weapons states in particular, are called upon not to provide other states, especially states that are not parties to the NPT, with any assistance or encouragement in the acquisition of nuclear weapons or other nuclear devices which they may seek. Parliament recommended to this end that a toolbox of elements be prepared in close collaboration by the Council, the Commission and the Parliament to support any third country that requests assistance in this area. It went on to recall current treatries banning the military exploitation of outer space and called upon the EU and the Member States to explore the possibility of negotiating additional outer space agreements, in order to ensure the peaceful exploration and use of space and to prevent any arms race in outer space.

Strengthening effective multilateralism: Parliament noted that, as stated by Dr Hans Blix, the credible threat of the use of force has played an important role in facilitating the disarmament work of UNSCOM and UNMOVIC. It is essential that no military strategy becomes detached from the disarmament strategy in any given crisis, in order to avoid any premature expulsion of international verification teams, which remain one of the most important verification instruments. Parliament underlined that nuclear weapons are for deterrence purposes and reiterated that there would be no winners in a nuclear war.

Traditional and emerging nuclear powers: Parliament c alled on the nuclear-weapons States under the NPT - with particular emphasis on NATO members UK, France and USA - to make significant steps towards the elimination of their nuclear arsenals in accordance with their undertakings, thereby strengthening their moral authority and credibility. It called again on Israel, India and Pakistan to become States Parties to the NPT. It emphasised the need for stronger regional and multilateral security arrangements in the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and North-East Asia in order to reduce the pressure towards nuclear proliferation and to achieve the abandonment of related programmes. Furthermore, the EU must work with its international partners to develop and promote a WMD-free zone in the Middle East. In addition, Parliament:

-recommended that the EU attach the utmost importance to effective implementation of the nuclear non-proliferation regime in the Mediterranean, since security in Europe is inherently linked to security in that region;

-called on Iran to take all necessary steps to restore the international community's confidence and trusted that Iran can responsibly and transparently develop a civilian nuclear energy programme, inter alia, by meeting in full its commitments, notwithstanding its rights, under the NPT, fully cooperating with the IAEA, and re-establishing suspension of all aspects of its uranium enrichment-related activities, including tests and production at the uranium conversion facility at Isfahan;

-expressed extremely deep concern that on 10 February 2005 North Korea declared its possession of nuclear weapons and urged North Korea to rejoin the NPT, to revoke its decision to withdraw from the six-party talks and to allow the resumption of negotiations. Parliament similarly urged both North Korea and the United States to seek a speedy resolution of the current crisis, the first step being a United States offer to recommence heavy fuel oil supplies in exchange for the verified freezing of the Yongbyon plant.

Results and development of 2005 NPT Review Conference: Parliament expressed disappointment over both the outcome of, and the role played by the Member States at, the 2005 NPT Review Conference. The Member States, the Council and the Commission were asked to pursue in good faith the 41 measures contained in the Common Position, and in this connection, Parliament called on the United States to abandon its negative attitude to the NPT. France and the United Kingdom in particular must reinvigorate their pursuit of the 13 disarmament steps and engage with the United States, Russia and China, who also committed themselves to the process at the end of the 2000 NPT Review Conference. Parliament went on to underline that under no circumstances should any state start or resume explosive nuclear testing. Everything possible must be done by the EU and by NATO to persuade the US administration to give up its resistance on this issue.

A role for the European Parliament: Parliament recalled the positive contribution that can be made by the European Parliament in addressing common security concerns on non-proliferation and disarmament in its capacity as a budgetary authority. In the framework of the discussions on the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013, it proposed a review of the existing Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 and the establishment of a specific budget line within the Union's budget to finance all activities regarding WMD issues, irrespective of whether they fall within the Community or CFSP framework, whilst respecting their respective decision-making processes as well as the competences of the Council, the Commission and the Personal Representative.

The committee adopted the own-initiative report by Ģirts Valdis KRISTOVSKIS (UEN, LV ) entitled "The non-proliferation of arms of mass destruction: a role for the European Parliament". Alarmed at the prospect of a "new and dangerous" arms race involving weapons of mass destruction, MEPs issued an urgent call for effective measures to combat the spread of WMD. Referring specifically to a possible arms race in the Middle East and parts of Asia , they said that the EU, acting together with its international partners, should seek to tighten up controls and sanctions .

The report called for targeted sanctions against those who violate their non-proliferation obligations. While acknowledging that a credible threat of force can facilitate disarmament efforts, they stressed that all diplomatic and political channels should be used before resorting to legitimate military force in accordance with the UN Charter.

The EU should play a more active role in non-proliferation and disarmament policies and also strive for stronger cooperation with the United States against the spread of WMD. The Middle East should become a WMD-free zone. For its part, the EU should make its export controls more effective and help other countries that wish to improve their controls. The EU should also give full support to the IAEA in its efforts to strengthen the non-proliferation regime. The committee stressed that the security of civilian nuclear, biological and chemical materials, plants and laboratories should be improved in view of terrorist threats and that export and transit controls should be strengthened to prevent sensitive materials, equipment and technologies from falling into the wrong hands.

Israel , India and Pakistan were called on to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. All nuclear weapons states under the Non-Proliferation Treaty were urged to take significant steps towards the elimination of their nuclear arsenals. Russia was urged to contribute more to the programmes for the destruction of its chemical weapons and for the disposal of its plutonium.

The committee rejected the development of new generations of nuclear weapons and called for immediate action to prevent the further proliferation of ballistic missiles. The Council and Commission should insist on "the urgency of signature and ratification" of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in dialogue with the United States and all other partner states which have not yet ratified the CTBT. MEPs also repeated their call for a moratorium and eventual ban on the use of depleted uranium ammunition. Referring to the 1967 treaty whereby states commit themselves not to place nuclear or WMD weapons in space, MEPs urged the EU and its Member States to explore the possibility of negotiating additional outer space agreements.

The committee also welcomed the inclusion of non-proliferation clauses in the latest EU agreements with third countries, and said that existing agreements which lacked such a clause should be revised quickly. Lastly, given Parliament's authority over the EU budget, MEPs asked to be fully associated with the implementation of the EU strategy on WMDs and said that "an adequate level of financing" should be allocated to this strategy. Moreover, in the EU budget one single budget line should be introduced for all activities relating to WMD issues, "irrespective of whether they fall within the Community or the CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy ) framework ".