EU Efforts to Strengthen Nuclear Security

Nuclear security is an absolute priority for the European Union (EU). The nuclear security summits in 2010 in Washington and Seoul 2012 confirmed the validity and direction, and further strengthened the EU efforts to effectively contribute to increased nuclear security, both inside Europe and worldwide. The Euratom Treaty, in force since 1957, is an important cornerstone of the EU engagement in nuclear safety and security. Through Euratom, the EU operates an effective regional nuclear safeguards system, implementing inspections, reporting and providing technical and scientific support to its Member States, in close partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time, the EU implements a concept of assurance of supply through its Euratom Supply Agency. The EU Common Foreign Security Policy, as well as the adoption since 2003 of the European Security Strategy, the EU strategy against proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), the EU Counter Terrorism Strategy (2005) and the New Lines for Action in combating the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems endorsed in 2008, all together reinforce the EU commitment to nuclear security. The accession of Euratom to the amended Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material was approved by the European Council in 2007, and ratification is expected to be completed soon by all Member States and Euratom