[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 21 (Monday, May 25, 1998)]
[Pages 921-922]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
United States/European Union Declaration on Common Orientation of Non-
Proliferation Policy

May 18, 1998

The International Non-Proliferation Regime

    The United States and the Member States of the European Union share 
a strong common interest in non-proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction and their delivery systems.
    The United States and the European Union support universal adherence 
to international treaties covering weapons of mass destruction, 
including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the 
Chemical Weapons Convention, the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention 
and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. They are cooperating to ensure 
full and effective implementation of these treaties. This includes the 
effective implementation of the recently-strengthened safeguards system 
of the International Atomic Energy Agency and verification procedures 
being implemented pursuant to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the 
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. They are also working toward agreement on 
an effective Protocol on verification for the Biological and Toxin 
Weapons Convention.
    They are active participants in international export control regimes 
and arrangements:
    --The Nuclear Suppliers Group.
    --The Zangger Committee of countries committed to cooperation in 
      interpretation and implementation of the export clause (Article 
      III.2) of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
    --The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
    --The Australia Group of suppliers of goods and dual-use equipment 
      potentially relevant to chemical or biological weapons.
    Among their other responsibilities, the regimes provide mechanisms 
for the exchange of information about programs and activities of concern 
in the area of weapons proliferation which they address.

Export Control Policy

    While promoting international trade and opportunities, and 
consistent with other relevant international obligations, the United 
States and the European Union take as a particularly important objective 
the denial of assistance to programs of weapons of mass destruction and 
means of delivery. This includes dual-use goods and technology subject 
to export control. The United States and European Union Member States 
have adopted policies and given guidance to licensing officials to 
prevent any export of controlled goods when they believe they might be 
used in programs of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery 
systems. In this context, they should take into account, inter alia, 
evidence of an importer's prior association with such programs.
    The European Union has adopted a comprehensive legally-binding Dual-
Use Regime of export controls which contains stringent catch-all 
provisions covering equipment that might be used in or in connection 
with programs of weapons of mass destruction.

Regions of Proliferation Concern

    The United States and the European Union have discussed regions of 
proliferation concern, including the Middle East and South Asia.
    In this context, the United States and the European Union have 
recently noted their continuing serious concern about efforts by some 
countries in the Middle East and South Asia to acquire missile 
technology and their capability to produce weapons of mass destruction. 
The European Union noted that such concerns should figure into its 
political contacts with these countries, notably Iran.
    The United States and the European Union reaffirmed their support of 
the work of UNSCOM in ensuring Iraq's implementation of UN Security 
Council Resolutions on the elimination of its weapons of mass 
destruction.

United States-European Union Consultations and Information Exchange

    The United States and the European Union hold regular consultations 
on non-proliferation and will strengthen their close ties in this field.

[[Page 922]]

    The two sides also recognize that effective implementation of export 
controls will be greatly enhanced by the timely exchange of any relevant 
information about programs and activities of concern. To strengthen 
existing cooperation in this area, the two sides have agreed to:
    --Additional information sharing in their regular meetings;
    --Give further consideration, including the appropriate involvement 
      of experts, of proposals to establish improved communications and 
      data transmissions relevant to non-proliferation export controls. 
      Due consideration will be given to practical aspects of this 
      concept.
    --Enhanced bilateral information exchanges.

Political Action With Suppliers

    The United States and European Union countries have engaged key 
suppliers. Several European leaders and Foreign Ministers have raised 
their concern directly with their Russian counterparts about Russian 
technological assistance to Iran's ballistic missile program. These 
concerns have been reinforced in contacts between the European Union 
troika and Russian counterparts. The United States and European Union 
welcome actions taken by Russia to strengthen its export control regime.
    The United States is open to a trilateral meeting with European 
Union and Russia on non-proliferation issues, but believes that careful 
preparation will be needed for such a meeting to be useful.

Agenda for Further Cooperation

    The United States and European Union intend to continue working 
closely together to advance their common non-proliferation objectives. 
Some items on the agenda of work in the coming year are:
    --Coordination of export control assistance programs to third 
      countries. Exchanges of information about ongoing programs have 
      already occurred.
    --Cooperation to improve export control implementation.
    --Consultation to ensure that intangible technology transfers do not 
      contribute to proliferation. Ideas in this area have been advanced 
      by both sides.
    --Best practice in export control implementation, including 
      discussion of means to strengthen verification of end-use and to 
      prevent diversion through third countries. Controls of non-linked 
      items (catch-all), software and technology.

Note: This declaration was made available by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on May 18 but was not issued as a White House press release. 
An original was not available for verification of the content of this 
declaration.