Non-proliferation

Non-proliferation has been on the international agenda for decades. Recognising the importance of the problem, both the EU and Asian countries—except North Korea—have collaborated on how to prevent proliferation, not just of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) like nuclear weapons, but also of their delivery vehicles and other sensitive technologies. EU–Asia dialogue and cooperation on non-proliferation has taken place both at the multilateral level as well as at the bilateral level, for example, on the establishment of the UN Conventional Arms Register. In recent times, EU–China cooperation on non-proliferation has received a boost, in particular on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action adopted in July 2015. Looking forward, EU–Asia cooperation on non-proliferation needs to incorporate various related fields—such as export control not only of arms, but also of dual-use and other sensitive technologies—into the non-proliferation conversation.