Global Security Newswire

The European Union in coming years will provide $387 million for international efforts to prevent the smuggling of WMD materials, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday (see GSN, Nov. 16, 2011).

Bruno Dupre of the EU European External Action Service noted the financial support during a conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on highlighting the threat posed by the illegal transit of biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear substances.

"There is consensus among experts on the risks posed by illicit transfer of chemical and biological materials and the need to address them. The EU supports these partnerships," the official said on Thursday.

"The funding covers 2007-2013 and will assist governments develop their own models, exchange information and harmonize response mechanism," he added.

The 27-nation bloc of European nations wants to support efforts by African states to "develop a culture of safety and security on CBRN," according to Dupre.

"The same has been done in seven other regions including Southeast Asia, Caucasus, Middle East, Maghreb, Gulf states and West Africa," he said (Xinhua News Agency, Jan. 20).