Conference on Disarmament Subsidiary Body 2 EU Statement on FMCT

EU Statement

Subsidiary Body 2

FMCT - general exchange

The Conference on Disarmament

Geneva, 6 August 2024

Mr. Coordinator,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the EU.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania[1]and Georgia as well as the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Areaalign themselves with this statement.

Let me start by congratulating you on the assumption of your role as coordinator of this subsidiary body. You can count on the EU's full support for your endeavours.

The EU is convinced that in our urgent work on the prevention ofnuclear war, a central element is the long overdue fissile material cut-off treaty (FMCT). Addressing the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices is pivotal in preventing the expansion of nuclear arsenals and, consequently, new arms races. By prohibiting the production ofthe fissile material required for nuclear weapons, we remove a fundamental driver of an arms race, thereby contributing to a more stable and predictable international security environment.

The EU is committed to achieve a non-discriminatory and effectively verifiable treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. We continue to believe that an FMCT would represent a concrete step towardsfulfilling obligations under Article VI of the NPTand would make a significant practical contribution to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.As such, the FMCT would also complement the CTBT.Furthermore, the FMCT would also enhance global security through increased transparency and confidence among states. Such transparency is essential for building trust and fostering cooperative security measures.

The moratoria declared by four of the five nuclear-weapon States on the production of fissile material for military purposes should assert the prospect of a fissile material cut-off treaty as a logical step towards nuclear disarmament, as per article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We reiterate our call on China and all other States concerned to declare and uphold such a moratorium in order to contribute to our collective efforts towards nuclear disarmament.

Moreover, it is essential to recognise that we do not need to start from scratch. Instead, we can extend the work already done with respective subsidiary bodies and working groups, building on past achievements, including the reports from the 2015 Group of Governmental Experts and 2018 High-level Expert Preparatory Group, and on other initiatives, to advance our discussions and negotiations on the FMCT. To underscore our commitment to this issue and to preventing nuclear war, we submitted the working paper on the FMCT to the NPT 2^nd Preparatory Committee, aiming at advancing the objective of stopping fissile material production for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in this NPT Review Cycle (NPT.CONF.2026/PC.II/WP.12) and taking into account draft treaties referenced therein.

However, despite urgent calls and advocacy, including through the adoption of UNGA Resolution 78/28 supported by 155 States, including all EU Member States, the Conference on Disarmament has not yet to commenced negotiations of such a treaty.

We reiterate our support to immediately commence and early conclude the negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament of a Treaty banning the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other explosive devices, in accordance with document CD/1299 and the mandate contained therein. The FMCT complements other disarmament measures, such as the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and strategic arms reduction agreements. Let us build on the CD's long history and achievements to advance this crucial treaty and ensure a more secure world for all.

I thank you Mr. Coordinator

[1]North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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