The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Recommendations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference regarding the establishment of a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. The resolution was tabled by the ECR, ALDE, EPP, Greens/EFA, S&D and GUE/NGL groups.

It deplores the postponement of the Conference, which the 2010 Review Conference of the ‘Non-Proliferation Treaty’ had scheduled for December 2012, and urges the UN Secretary-General, the UN facilitator, the sponsors of the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East, the EU High Representative and the EU Member States to make sure that the 2012 Conference takes place as soon as possible in 2013. Members strongly believe that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East would greatly enhance international peace and stability, and could be an example for the Global Zero campaign, and they call on the HR/VP Catherine Ashton to ensure that the European Union remains actively engaged in supporting this process, particularly through active diplomatic encouragement of all parties concerned to engage constructively in the negotiations. The HR/VP is asked to keep Parliament informed of any developments related to the ongoing efforts to reconvene the Conference following the recent postponement.

Parliament notes that the European Union, along with all the members of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, subscribed to the goal of promoting the establishment of a WMD-free zone in the Middle East in the Barcelona Declaration of 1995. The EU supports the efforts of the facilitator and the aim of promoting the establishment of a WMD-free zone in the Middle East, notably through the ‘Non-Proliferation consortium’ and a series of seminars on the topic, such as those held in 2008 and 2011 and in November 2012.

Parliament reminds all stakeholders concerned of the urgency of the issue, bearing in mind the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme and conflict concerning the civil war in Syria. It recalls the fact that the Syrian Government still controls one of the most powerful and dangerous chemical weapons arsenals in the world. Members underline the importance of the ongoing dialogue on a Middle Eastern WMD-free zone with a view to exploring the broad framework and the interim steps that would strengthen regional peace and security. Key elements should include:

·        compliance with comprehensive IAEA safeguards (and an additional protocol);

·        a ban on the production of fissile material for weapons and on uranium enrichment beyond normal fuel grade;

·        accession to the treaties prohibiting biological and chemical weapons, and the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East.

Lastly, Parliament calls for a new confidence-building initiative at regional level, based on the example of the Helsinki process, with the aim of achieving the long-term goal of a Middle East free of military conflicts.