EU-NONPROLIF

Multilateral interaction in the fight against nuclear and chemical weapons: the European Union and international non-proliferation institutions

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'This project deals with the increasingly strong relationship between the European Union (EU) and international non-proliferation institutions in the field of nuclear and chemical weapons, in particular the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Australia Group. Its overall research objective is to understand better the still under-researched and under-theorized area of EU interaction with these international institutions. Using a qualitative research design based on primary sources, in particular elite interviews, and on secondary sources from a wide variety of fields, including European integration, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and international organizations, the project will focus in particular on two issues: (1) to what extent the EU makes a difference in international non-proliferation institutions and (2) to what extent these institutions have influenced the EU. The project will make significant contributions to the theoretical literature in this field; it will advance the empirical knowledge of multilateral policies in the fight against the proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons; and it will bring about research results that are relevant for policy-makers that are directly affected by ‘Europe’s changing role in the world’, especially in regard to current proliferation challenges such as Iran, India and WMD terrorism. At the same time, based on a previously established Personal Career Development Plan the experienced researcher will receive at his host institution relevant training in new skills such as open source intelligence and mentoring by a very prominent researcher in the field of WMD non-proliferation. This will not only assure the success of this project, but it will also turn the experienced researcher into an independent and professionally mature scholar.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU team assessed the EU's performance in defence and security, particularly concerning preventing weapons proliferation. The EU's outcomes exceeded expectations, specifically in nuclear negotiations with Iran and by supporting other countries.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

How does international cooperation help prevent the development and spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)? Also, how effective is the EU in terms of such international prevention?

The EU-funded EU-NONPROLIF project intended to find out. The team considered the EU in the context of its own non-proliferation policy, and in relation to international non-proliferation efforts. The single-member undertaking, administered through King's College London, ran for two years to August 2014.

Project members qualitatively examined numerous relevant primary and secondary sources, including interviews with policymakers. The key findings were presented as a significant journal article, which covered the first 10 years of the 2003 EU WMD strategy and analysed the EU's recent actions. Contrary to generally held beliefs about the EU being an ineffective international security player, the EU has in fact delivered better than expected practical outcomes. These include nuclear negotiations with Iran, strengthening the verification work of international non-proliferation agencies, and supporting similar efforts in partner countries. The paper's conclusions were republished as a policy brief for senior policy-makers.

Additional analyses, published in international relations journals, examined several specific cases of EU non-proliferation policies. One forthcoming article illustrates the EU's difficulties dealing with India, because EU Member States could not agree with reference to India.

The group conducted a series of knowledge exchange activities that fed into policy efforts, including academic conferences and workshops, special publications and other meetings.

EU-NONPROLIF studied EU defence and security, and specifically the EU in terms of international non-proliferation efforts. The conclusions helped to document the EU's achievements.