Brussels, 27/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - At the 24th session, in Geneva on 26 July, of the special group of contracting States to the 1972 Convention on the Ban on Biological Weapons and following the American rejection of a protocol aimed at introducing a monitoring mechanism on the implementation of the Convention, the representative of the Belgian Presidency made the following statement on behalf of the European Union (unofficial translation):
"The EU wants to reiterate its fundamental commitment to the preservation and strengthening of multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation systems. These are essential elements of security and trust. The serious threat weighing on the international community by the proliferation of biological weapons calls for an adapted multilateral response on its part.
In its address at the beginning of the 24th session, the EU drew attention to the declaration of EU Foreign Ministers of 11 June. It said that a Protocol including the essential principles set out in the EU's common position of 17 May 1999 would reconcile demands linked to the Convention, national interests regarding security and the economic interests of contracting States in a balanced manner. The EU set out the reasons for which it considered that if in fact certain aspects of the composite text that was submitted did not correspond to what it wished, it was nevertheless a basis on which political decision may be taken.
In this context, the EU listened attentively to the declaration made on 25 July by Ambassador Mahley on behalf of the United States. The EU noted with concern that the United States considers that the costs of the Protocol would outweigh the benefits. This is a conclusion in which the EU does not share. It regrets that after six years of work together, on the basis of a brief accepted by all, the United States should consider that nothing could render acceptable the composite text presented by President Toth. Nor does the EU share this conclusion. It considers that what has been gained from many years of negotiations should be preserved.
The EU nevertheless takes note of the fact that in its declaration, the United States indicates that it was not abandoning its support for multilateral systems regarding weapons of mass destruction, and that it would continue to share the common goal that is to strengthen the 1972 Convention. The EU welcomes this. It would like a multilateral negotiating forum to be maintained in the context of the Convention. In that context, it notes that the United States is committed to making proposals. It waits with interest the presentation of concrete proposals by the US which would allow for the deadlock to be broken, in time for the 5th Review Conference. The EU would like dialogue with all actors to continue.
At this stage of negotiations, we have to preserve the chances of reaching a multilateral agreement on biological weapons including all those involved. The EU is looking at all possible options; whatever the case, we cannot continue work as usual".
Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey and Norway align themselves with the EU declaration.