B4-1365, 1383 and 1414/95

Resolution on the ratification of the Convention on the destruction of chemical weapons

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its previous resolutions covering chemical weapons related issues, particulary those of 12 June 1986, 15 September 1988, 17 November 1988, 18 January 1989, 19 January 1989, 14 March 1989, 18 April 1991, 12 September 1991 20 January 1994 and 10 February 1994,

A.noting that the Chemical Weapons Convention bans the development, production, possession, transfer and use of chemical weapons and that 159 States have signed it and 42 have ratified it,

B.noting that the Convention enters into force 180 days after 65 states have ratified,

C.noting that all European Union Member States have signed the Convention but expressing its deep concern that Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and the United Kingdom have yet to ratify it,

1.Stresses the need for its early entry into force; calls on all governments and parliaments of the EU Member States which have not yet ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention to undertake urgent action in order to complete their ratification;

2.Calls upon the Member States to ensure that sufficient powers and resources are available for the operation of an active, effective and transparent compliance-monitoring system in their territories;

3.Calls on the forthcoming European Council in Madrid to reiterate the political commitment of all heads of government to early ratification of the Convention;

4.Requests the Council of the European Union to ask the United States and the Russian Federation to ratify the Convention as a matter of urgency;

5.Calls upon the Commission to prepare a report on the legal aspects of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the Member States to allow coordination of their chemical export controls and other regulations in this area in line with their individual commitments under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the states which have signed the Chemical Weapons Convention.