Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^*, Georgia, Iceland⁺, Liechtenstein⁺, Norway⁺ and San Marino.

It remains a strategic priority of the EU to support peace and stability in the entire Middle East. The EU reaffirms its full support for the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems in the Middle East. We consider the 1995 NPT Resolution valid until its goals and objectives are achieved and strongly support the outcome of the 2010 NPT Review Conference on the Middle East. We believe that the path for action as set out in the 2010 Action Plan remains the most promising basis on which to proceed. The start of a new Review Cycle of the NPT can provide an opportunity for renewed efforts.

The EU is encouraged by the outcomes of the three UN Conferences on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. We strongly encourage all stakeholders, and especially the States of the region, to engage in meaningful consultations in order to build an inclusive and consensus-based process towards the implementation of the 1995 NPT Resolution.

As stated before, the EU is of the view that such zones can only be established on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at, and taking into account the security interests of all the States of the region concerned, in accordance with the international guidelines and principles for the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free-zones. For a number of years, the EU has supported projects aimed at building the necessary confidence to facilitate the establishment of such a zone, most recently a project implemented by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).

Chair,

Let me also voice our disappointment that the issue of Israeli Nuclear Capabilities has once again been brought before this Board. The EU remains convinced that a consensual approach, as set out in the 2010 NPT Review Conference Action Plan, is the only way to make progress towards implementing the 1995 NPT Resolution on the Middle East.

Thank you, Chair.

* Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

+ Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are members of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.