Regional Workshop in support of the BTWC Eighth Review Conference, - PDF document

Regional Workshop in support of the BTWC Eighth Review Conference, 13 – 14 September 2016, African Union, Addis Ababa Opening remarks by Ambassador Gary Quince, Head of the EU Delegation to the African Union Let me start by welcoming all of you to Addis Ababa for this Regional Workshop for Africa, which we hope will contribute towards a successful outcome of the upcoming Eighth Review Conference of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) next November in Geneva. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the African Union and the BTWC Implementation Support Unit (ISU) for organising this important event. Later this morning there will be a detailed presentation of the new EU Council Decision in support of the BTWC, so I will focus now on three issues: the Africa-EU Partnership, the recently published Global Strategy for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy and the EU's priorities and activities towards the Eighth Review Conference. First, our Partnership with Africa At the last EU-Africa Summit in 2014, African and European leaders decided on five priority areas for our Partnership, namely Peace and Security; Democratic Governance and Human Rights; Human Development; Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and Continental Integration; and Cooperation on Global Issues. In the

context of the last priority area, Global Issues, leaders agreed to intensify our cooperation in dealing with the threat of weapons proliferation. Specifically, they agreed to deepen our political dialogue aiming at common positions and proposals in international fora on disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and undertake joint initiatives to strengthen capacities to mitigate against risks linked to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials. Our support to the organisation of this regional workshop is one example of our commitment to reinforce our cooperation in this important area Second, the EU Global Strategy The global environment in which we all live has changed dramatically in recent years. The world is more connected, but also more contested and more complex. As a result, the European Union needs a strategy to give a collective sense of direction. The EU Global Strategy aims to provide a common vision of how the EU can realise its global ambitions - from our core interests and principles for engagement, to our approach to different geographic regions and policy areas. It sets out the medium and long term objectives as well as the means and steps necessary to achieve them. As far as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery are concerned, the strategy reaffirms the following commitments:

The EU will strongly support the expanding membership, universalisation, full implementation and enforcement of multilateral disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control treaties and regimes; We will use every means at our disposal to assist in resolving proliferation crises, as we successfully did on the Iran nuclear programme; And the EU will actively participate in export control regimes, strengthen common rules governing Member States’ export policies of military – including dual-use – equipment and technologies, and we will support export control authorities in third countries and technical bodies that manage arms control regimes. Third, the EU common position on the Review Conference In line with our consistent support to the full implementation and strengthening of the BTWC, the EU adopted a Council Decision laying down our common position relating to the Eighth Review Conference. We submitted a Working Paper to the first session of the Preparatory Committee in April this year that reflects the Decision’s content. In the run up to and during the Review Conference we are working to ensure that the States Parties address the following priorities: building and sustaining confidence in compliance; supporting national implementation; supporting the UN Secretary-General's Mechanism for investigation of alleged use of biological weapons and agents, and promoting the universality of the Convention.

The EU's objective is to contribute to a full review of the operations of the BTWC at the Eighth Review Conference, to agree on a new substantive work programme as well as to support a Ninth Review Conference of the BTWC to be held no later than 2021. In particular, we will continue supporting all efforts aimed at reinforcing the decisional power of the Intersessional Process by exploring a range of options in that regard. With a view to building consensus for a successful outcome of the Review Conference, we are promoting the following key issues. While recognising that there is no consensus regarding verification at this stage, which remains a central element of a complete and effective disarmament and non- proliferation regime, we will work towards identifying options that contribute to an increase in confidence in compliance and to the effective implementation of the objectives and purpose of the BTWC. In particular, we continue our efforts to enhance transparency and build confidence in compliance, including through necessary and achievable revisions to the current CBMs. Furthermore, we support voluntary measures to increase transparency between States Parties to enhance confidence in compliance with the BTWC and strengthen national implementation. In this regard, we continue to support a voluntary peer review process as a valuable tool. We support national implementation measures, including administrative, judicial and criminal legislation, and

control over pathogenic microorganisms and toxins in the framework of the BTWC. We continue promoting universal adherence to the Convention, including by calling on all States not party to the Convention to adhere without further delay and to commit legally to disarmament with regard to, and non- proliferation of, biological and toxin weapons. Pending adherence of such States to the BTWC, we encourage them to participate as observers in the meetings of the States Parties to the Convention and to implement, on a voluntary basis, its provisions. We also suggest that the Eighth Review Conference adopts an action plan on universalisation to be coordinated by the ISU. We support strengthening operational capabilities of the UN Secretary-General's Mechanism for investigation of alleged use of chemical and biological weapons, including through expanding the cadre of trained experts, training, and the conduct of table-top and field exercises. With respect to Article VII, we advocate taking decisions on the provision of assistance and coordination with relevant organisations upon request by any State Party in the case of alleged use of biological or toxin weapons, including improving national capabilities for disease surveillance, detection and diagnosis and public health systems as the first line of defence. We remain committed to enhancing transparency regarding cooperation and assistance related to Article X, taking into account the mandates, work and the expertise of other

international organisations. We will continue to support the concrete implementation of Article X of the BTWC through various national and international assistance programmes. In this context, we are pleased to inform you that an EU working paper containing an overview of the implementation of Article X by the EU and its Members States as well as assistance provided to this end has been circulated for consideration by the States Parties in August this year. We will continue supporting efforts towards more frequent and focused assessments of relevant scientific and technological developments, which may have implications for the BTWC. In addition, the EU remains in favour of strengthening the role of the ISU, including extension of its mandate, inclusion of further activities to support the implementation of a revised and strengthened intersessional work programme and adequate expansion of its current staff to assist effective delivery of core responsibilities and meet new objectives. To conclude, let me assure you that the European Union and its Member States have a strong interest in a well- prepared and successful Eighth Review Conference and we stand ready to cooperate with all State Parties to this effect. I wish you all fruitful discussions this week.

Addis Ababa, 13 September 2016