EU Statement at the 25th Annual Regular Meeting of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, 28 May 2026
Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Let me start by congratulating Jordan on assuming the role of Chair of HCoC for 2026- 2027 and expressing our appreciation to Ambassador Alejandro Garofali Acosta for his work undertaken during Uruguay’s HCoC chairmanship. We also thank Austria for its efficient support to the Code as the Immediate Central Contact (ICC) in Vienna.
Chair,
Over the past quarter of a century, the HCoC has been an important transparency and confidence-building measure. Its critical role and importance for international security is growing and solidifying. It is the only multilateral instrument aiming at both preventing ballistic missile proliferation and increasing transparency about ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles.
The threat of ballistic missile proliferation and regional and global instability is evolving rapidly.
The Annual Regular Meeting provides us with a unique platform to discuss both regional issues and developments in the ballistic missile and space launch domains. Let me first turn to regional issues.
We remain gravely concerned by the continued proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, in particular the pursuit of ballistic missile programmes by several countries in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. We call for the immediate dismantlement of such programmes, which are a source of mistrust and contribute to regional instability.
We reiterate our resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which has now entered its fifth year. This continues with Belarus’ complicity and support by other third countries. Their facilitation of dual use and arms transfers enables not just ballistic missile proliferation, but attacks against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
The EU strongly condemns Russia’s deliberate large-scale missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. At the beginning of January this year, Russia launched 13 ballistic missiles and one ‘Oreshnik’ medium-range ballistic missile against Ukraine, with devastating impact on civilians and the country’s energy infrastructure. This behaviour has continued and is in clear breach of international law and international humanitarian law. On 14 May, Russia attacked a residential building in Kyiv by a precision guided cruise missile Kh-101 killing 24 of its residents, including three children. On the night of 23–24 May, Russia’s assault on Ukraine’s capital and its surrounding region involved approximately 600 drones and 90 missiles, once again striking civilians and civilian infrastructure. In addition to Iskander, Kinzhal and Zircon missiles, Russia again used an ‘Oreshnik’ ballistic missile capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. We strongly demand that Russia refrain from such actions, which represent a dangerous escalation.
The EU reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right to self-defence. We reiterate our support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Chair,
We are deeply concerned about the recent developments in the Gulf Region, and the large-scale use of missiles, which threaten both regional and global security. The EU has strongly condemned the unjustifiable indiscriminate Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks against countries in the region and reaffirms its solidarity with them. Iran must comply with its legally binding nuclear safeguard obligations under the NPT and the EU has consistently urged Iran to resume full cooperation with the IAEA and put an end to its destabilising actions in the region, including its ballistic missile programme. The EU calls for de-escalation, maximum restraint, protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and full respect for international law by all parties, including the principles of the UN Charter, and international humanitarian law. We also call for the implementation of UNSC resolution 2817 (2026).
The EU condemns Iran’s military support to Russia, including the delivery of ballistic missiles and drones, which constitutes a major threat to international peace and security.
Chair,
The EU condemns the DPRK’s unlawful and destabilising actions that undermine regional and international peace and security. The DPRK continues to launch various new and existing ballistic missiles, in blatant violation of its obligations under multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Since the beginning of 2026, the DPRK has already fired more than 25 ballistic missiles. The international community must respond with unity to put a stop to the DPRK’s unlawful development of ballistic missiles and missile launches.
We resolutely condemn Russia’s continuing illegal military cooperation with the DPRK, and the transfer of ballistic missiles and other arms from the DPRK to Russia for use in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, in flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Deepening military cooperation between DPRK and Russia risks further emboldening the DPRK in its pursuit of dangerous and illegal ballistic missile and nuclear programmes. We urge both countries to immediately cease all activities violating UNSCRs.
Chair,
Turning to the Code and relevant developments, the EU reaffirms its strong support for the Code and will continue to actively promote its universalisation, full implementation and efficient functioning. Since 2008, through Decisions of the Council of the EU, we continue to provide political and financial support for HCoC. In December 2025, the EU adopted its sixth Council Decision, providing more than 1 million EURO in support of the Code. This represents a confirmation of EU’s sustained political and practical support and includes a wide range of activities aimed at promoting and strengthening the HCoC by means of outreach events, regional seminars, expert missions and research papers. This is done in cooperation with Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), which has created an HCoC Youth Group meant to develop expertise among young people as future stakeholders on missile-related issues and raise knowledge about the Code.
In terms of universalisation, we will continue to call on all UN Member States that have not yet done so to subscribe to the Code. We also encourage all UN Member States to support and vote in favour of the next biennial HCoC Resolution in support of the Hague Code of Conduct, during the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly in 2026. Subscribing States should continue to preserve the integrity of the Code and respect its non-proliferation objectives.
Chair,
We see the continuous development of the Code as crucial for achieving its aims. The Annual Regular Meeting has a mandate to develop the Code through consensus decisions by the subscribing states present at these meetings. We consider exploring complementarities and raising awareness on missile proliferation risks in the context of space related matters as a relevant way to further develop the Code. The Chairs have an important role in preparing such decisions and we therefore welcome their continuous work to consider potential areas for further development. Intersessional informal meetings could also be used again to consider this and we stand ready to support the Chair.
Let me conclude Chair, by assuring you of the European Union’s full support and cooperation for the issuance of a Communiqué by this Annual Regular Meeting, which should help to increase awareness and mobilise further international support for the HCoC.
Thank you.