IAEA/EU joint action - Partnership in improving nuclear security

In December 2003, the European Council adopted the European Union Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, under which - beginning 2004 - four Joint Actions have been contracted between the European Community, represented by the Commission of the European Communities and the IAEA by signing a special Contribution Agreement for each Joint Action. Three Joint Actions were successfully completed by the end of 2008. The purpose of the EU Joint Actions is to support IAEA efforts to assist States, on request, in strengthening their nuclear security infrastructure and implementation. The programme - with a budget for all three completed Joint Actions was Euros 14 238 000, making the EU of one of the biggest contributors to the Nuclear Security Fund - assists countries and includes both Member States and non-member States of the IAEA. These three Joint Actions provided support and assistance to 47 of 73 eligible countries in South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East and Africa. The fourth Joint Action with a budget of Euros 7 703 000 started in October 2008 and includes, additionally, eleven countries in South East Asia. Under the three Joint Actions, 209 different tasks have been implemented on legislative and regulatory matters, the strengthening of security and control and other radioactive material, the physical protection of nuclear material, nuclear facilities, radioactive material in nonnuclear applications, safeguards (additional protocols) and the strengthening of States' capabilities for detection and response to illicit trafficking. Technical assistance includes equipment installation, expert consultations, missions, training, and assistance in developing legal and regulatory national infrastructure. (author)