EU Statement on Israeli Nuclear Capabilities at the 68th Regular Session of the IAEA General Conference, 19 September 2024

Mister President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina^[1], and Georgia, the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.

The EU notes the decision of the Arab States not to table the resolution "Israeli Nuclear Capabilities" at this year's General Conference.

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.

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. Especially in the current tense context, 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.

The EU continues to stand ready to assist in the process and help produce a conducive atmosphere. In this regard, the EU provides significant funding to the UN Institute for Disarmament Research on a process of confidence-building, most recently through the EU Council Decision of June 2023 with financial support of 2.1 million Euros.

Thank you, Mister President.

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