European Union Drafts Tougher Nonproliferation Policy

The European Union established a new nonproliferation policy this month that includes the use of U.N.-sanctioned military action as a last resort, the Financial Times reported (see GSN, Dec. 12).

The new strategy stresses the use of political, diplomatic and financial pressure to stop states from violating international nonproliferation agreements. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana originally drafted the policy in June and he will take it to Tehran next month in an attempt to encourage Iranian officials to continue their recent moves toward nuclear transparency.

European officials will use the effort to stem Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons development as a test case for the new, tougher policy, according to the Times. The strategy will also include more financial support for the International Atomic Energy Agency and an effort to increase international export controls (Judy Dempsey, Financial Times, Dec. 29).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.