EU joins forces to address ballistic missile proliferation

EU joins forces to address ballistic missile proliferation

26 November 2022 marks the 20^th anniversary of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC).

The acceleration of ballistic missile technology proliferation is an increasing problem in many regions of the world, posing a threat to international peace and security.

Effective multilateralism and the strengthening of the international rules-based order is the most adequate and effective way to address the issue of ballistic missile proliferation. That is why the European Union is a long-standing supporter of the Hague Code of Conduct.

The Hague Code of Conductis the sole existing instrument aiming at universality and fostering confidence building and transparency between states in the field of ballistic missiles. It is voluntary, not legally binding, and open to all states. Participants to the Code recognize a need to prevent and curb the proliferation of ballistic missile systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction, as well as the importance of strengthening, and gaining wider adherence to, multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms. Since the signing and entering into force of the politically-binding Hague Code of Conduct in November 2002 in The Hague (Netherlands), the number of signatories has increased from 93 to 143. Austria acts as Immediate Central Point of Contact for the Code.

Since 2008, the EU has provided significant support for the universalisation and implementation of the Code, in cooperation with the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique. Through four consecutive CFSP actions, the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique has organised numerous expert missions, regional and sub-regional seminars and outreach events with non-subscribing states. In June this year, the EU, France and the Netherlands, in partnership with the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique, organised an outreach event open to all UN Member States in Vienna to mark the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of Hague Code of Conduct

Universal subscription by all UN Member States to the Code remains a key EU objective for achieving its full potential.The EU is committed to continue working towards universalization, full implementation, and efficient functioning of the Code.