The Joint Action in support of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) forms part of the overall EU Strategy Against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. It is based based on three principles, namely effective multilateralism, prevention and cooperation and partnership. The effective multilateralism is reflected in the EU’s political and financial contribution to efforts to universalise the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Additional Protocol and the BTWC. In trying to prevent threats from emerging, the EU seeks to address the complexities and root causes of threats and risks. In the case of the BW threat, the EU contribution is multifaceted and combines many policy tools. The strengthening of the BTWC involves cooperation with other states and international organisations.  The EU also inserts a so-called ‘non-proliferation clause’ in all cooperation and association agreements with third countries as a preventive and cooperative measure. This creates an opportunity to engage in a wider security dialogue on the root causes of regional instability. The clause presently forms part of agreements with approximately 90 States.

Complementary action plan on biological and Toxin Weapons

In addition to the Joint Action in support of the BTWC, the European Union adopted on 9 March 2006 a complementary action plan on biological and Toxin Weapons.

The complementary action plan consists of two measures:

• The first measure relates to the efficient use of the Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs). EU Members are to ‘ensure the fulfilment of their obligation under the BTWC to file a CBM return each year, beginning with 2006 as a first step’. Their annual compliance with the CBM obligations would enable the EU ‘to take diplomatic action towards other States Parties to the BTWC to fulfil their obligations under the Convention’ and develop thoughts on how best to improve the effectiveness of CBMs. By the 6th Review Conference of the BTWC (20 November - 8 December 2006), all EU Member States submitted their CBM returns.
  
• The second measure expresses the EU wish to enhance the effectiveness of the current UN Secretary General’s mechanism for investigating cases of alleged use of chemical and biological and Toxin Weapons, and calls on EU Member States to update and supplement the lists of experts and laboratories available to him.

The 6th Review Conference of the BTWC

In March 2006 the Council also adopted a Common Position for the 6th Review Conference of the BTWC (which was to be prepared by a Preparatory Committee meeting on 26-28 April 2006). The core ambitions comprised a full review of the operation of the BTWC, including the implementation of the undertakings by States Parties; the adoption of a work programme for a new inter-sessional process between the 6th and 7th Review Conferences; and the organisation of a 7th Review Conference no later than 2011.

In addition to helping achieve a consensus outcome for the 6th Review Conference, the Council Common Position also identified a broader framework of action in support of the norm against the weaponisation of disease, including the universalisation of the BTWC, amelioration and expansion of the CBMs, the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 (2004) with regard to biological weapons, support for the G8 Global Partnership programme, and the consideration of further action on the issues discussed during the 2003–2005 intersessional programme.



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