Strasbourg, 08/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) remains the cornerstone of the European Union's non-proliferation strategy, Council President Nicolas Schmit said on Tuesday in Strasbourg during a plenary debate on the conference for review of the treaty, scheduled for May this year. The Union notes with regret North Korea's decision of 10 February to suspend signing up to the NPT and invites it to go back on this decision to allow six-way talks on the nuclear programme in Korea (North and South Korea, United States, China, Japan and Russia) to be resumed. Compliance with the NPT is an indispensable condition for the EU to develop bilateral relations with Pyongyang, the minister said. As far as Iran is concerned, guarantees are needed on the exclusively pacific use of its nuclear energy. Mr Schmit stressed that, if Iran is willing to negotiate in earnest, then there is the chance of an agreement. However, the suspension of certain activities is an indispensable condition set by the Union and, as Mr Schmit said in conclusion, he reiterated this to George Bush and to Condoleezza Rice during their visit to Europe.
The three pillars of the NPT (non-proliferation, nuclear development, peaceful use of nuclear power) must be reinforced, Development Commissioner Louis Michel said. The Commission, he explained, supports the Council and is willing to implement projects allowing for the countries concerned to be really helped to control the illegal use made of nuclear power and nuclear exports. The Commission will present a study on this in November, he announced. The Commission is currently negotiating in good faith with Iran, Mr Michel stressed, saying it is convinced that, if negotiations are successful, this will allow lasting talks to be opened between Teheran and the Union and facilitate “total reintegration of this country” into the international community. The decision by North Korea to withdraw from the six-party talks is “not very judicious”, the Commissioner admitted, while welcoming the diplomatic efforts made by China, which must be supported. The Union, he concludes, must not over-react, but clearly state that the six-way talks are the best way to come out of the current impasse.
In response to MEPs, Nicolas Schmit said the Union must keep up constant pressure on countries that “think nuclear weapons give you power”. In the case of Iran in particular, it is necessary to repeat that the prospect of an economic cooperation agreement with the Union is every bit worth nuclear development (given that respect of human rights is not negotiable). The case of North Korea is more complex. Sanctions against a country whose population is deprived of everything are pointless, Mr Schmit believes, stressing that it is vital for the Union to make its voice heard and for discussions on the NPT not to be restricted to noting failure.