Conference on Disarmament - 2025 HLS - EU Statement

EU Statement

High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament

by EU Special Envoy Stephan Klement

Geneva, 24 February 2025

Madam President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Republic of Moldova[1] align themselves with this statement.

We are today facing unprecedented challenges to global security. The erosive pressure on arms control frameworks, and rising geopolitical tensions underscore the need to reduce risks of miscalculation and misunderstandings.

At this critical time, rapid and collective action is needed to reinforce and advance disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, uphold international security commitments, and prevent a further deterioration of the global security environment as a matter of urgency. We must renew our commitment to multilateralism as a fundamental pillar of global peace and security, rooted in the rules and principles of the UN Charter.

Trust and confidence are the foundation of any security-building process. Our collective responsibility is to reinforce dialogue, rebuild trust, and work together toward concrete progress on arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation. Greater transparency on nuclear doctrines, policies, and strategies, can contribute to confidence-building and risk reduction, which is important to us all.

Madam President,

Today marks three years since Russia launched its unprovoked, unjustified and illegal aggression against Ukraine, blatantly violating the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law. The EU reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression. We strongly condemn support by third countries, and actors and entities therein, which enable Russia to sustain its war, including arms transfers and deepening military cooperation with the DPRK and Iran. The EU reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence. We reaffirm our support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, in line with Ukraine’s Peace Formula. It is essential that no initiative regarding Ukraine be taken without Ukraine.

The EU condemns in the strongest possible way Russia’s actions, irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and threats to use nuclear force in its illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, which are provocative, dangerous, and escalatory. This further demonstrates how Russia’s actions repeatedly undermine international peace and security and erode arms control mechanisms, security assurances and underscore the urgent need to strengthen our defence in order to protect our societies. At the same time, disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation contributes to European and global security, and we will advance our efforts towards progress in this area.

The EU warmly welcomes the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which will allow the phased release of the hostages - ending their terrible ordeal that has lasted for more than 15 months – an end to hostilities, and easing of the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. It is vital that the deal is fully implemented to allow all the hostages to be released, and to ensure a permanent end to hostilities. The EU deeply deplores the unacceptable number of civilians, especially children, who have lost their lives. We call for full and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to the Gaza strip and that aid can be effectively distributed to those in need, including by UN agencies and notably UNRWA. Displaced Gazans should be ensured a safe and dignified return to their homes. The EU is committed to a just, comprehensive and lasting peace based on the two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. 

At a time when the international security landscape is deteriorating, the role of the Conference on Disarmament is more important than ever and its continued deadlock remains of deep concern. We welcome the re-establishment of five subsidiary bodies and are committed to leveraging this opportunity to bring the CD back on track, towards fulfilling its negotiation mandate.

Madam President,

Less than a year from now, the New START Treaty will expire. The world could be for the first time in decades exposed to the absence of an agreed framework for nuclear arms control between the US and Russia. Recalling the obligations for all nuclear weapon States arising from Article VI of the NPT, we underline that the two nuclear weapon States with the largest arsenals hold a special responsibility in the area of nuclear disarmament and arms control. The EU strongly encourage seeking further reductions to their arsenals, including strategic and non-strategic, deployed and non-deployed nuclear weapons, and to pursue further discussions on confidence-building, transparency, risk reduction, and verification activities, laying the ground for even more robust and ambitious future arms control agreements and reporting. We call on China to actively contribute to these processes. The EU also deplores the unprecedented decision of Russia to revoke its ratification of the CTBT. Promoting universal adherence to and the entry into force of the CTBT, as well as supporting CTBTO and the full implementation of its international monitoring system remains a key priority for the EU.

Madam President,

We remain deeply concerned by the rapid and opaque expansion of China’s nuclear arsenal, which raises serious questions about its strategic objectives and is not in line with its disarmament commitments under the NPT. China’s lack of transparency over its nuclear doctrine, policies, and expanding arsenal raises questions about its declared ‘No First Use’ policy, fuelling mistrust. Doctrinal statements alone are insufficient; concrete actions and meaningful engagement are needed to build confidence. We therefore urge for clarity and meaningful engagement from China regarding its nuclear capabilities, and the role and significance of nuclear weapons in its doctrines and policies, including in relation to its stated No-First Use policy and nuclear posture. As the world’s third-largest nuclear-weapon state, China must enhance transparency, establish communication lines with the U.S. and Russia to prevent misperceptions, and clarify its strategic objectives. We urge China to engage in arms control dialogue, improve information-sharing, and halt further build-up.

Madam President,

We consider that all States, in particular nuclear-weapon States and all States possessing nuclear weapons, have a responsibility to engage in meaningful dialogue, take concrete steps to reduce risks, and must uphold their respective commitments to arms control and disarmament. In this context, progress toward a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) is a necessary and logical step. Pending a future agreement on a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other explosive devices (FMCT), we call on China to immediately declare and uphold a moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

Given the increasing number of new space actors and users of space services, as well as the worsening international security situation, the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) in all its aspects is more relevant than ever. It is therefore crucial to enhance outer space security through a pragmatic approach, recognizing that “political commitments on responsible behaviours can be developed in support of, and without prejudice to, the pursuit of legally binding measures and instruments”.

Madam President,

 Lastly, let me stress that inclusivity and transparency remain fundamental to the EU’s approach in multilateral settings. We support the participation of observers in CD deliberations, as their perspectives enrich discussions and enhance the legitimacy of our outcomes. Attempts to silence critics or exclude observer States and international organisations interested in the work of the CD undermine the very principles on which multilateral diplomacy and this very forum are based.

The EU also supports the long overdue enlargement of the CD to reflect the realities of today’s global landscape and enable broader participation as a matter of urgency. We call for the urgent appointment of a special coordinator who could lead substantive consultations on the expansion of membership and lay out concrete scenarios for the consideration of CD members.

In summing up, let us seize the opportunity to reinvigorate the Conference on Disarmament and deliver on the international community’s shared goals. The time to act is now.

I thank you, Madam President.

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