First session
Vienna, 30 April-11 May 2007

Multilateralization of the nuclear fuel cycle/guarantees of access to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy - Working paper submitted by the European Union

1.      The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) rests on three pillars:
non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The three are intertwined, yet each faces its own challenges in today’s security, political and technological environment. Proliferation concerns, including current issues related to the nature of nuclear fuel cycle technology programmes, as well as disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, remain high on the international agenda.
2.      The right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy remains undisputed. Addressing concerns over proliferation-sensitive parts of the nuclear fuel cycle could enhance mutual trust in the international debate. One way to address these concerns is to focus on the nuclear fuel cycle itself with an inclusive approach. Any progress in that perspective would also serve to strengthen the NPT itself.
3.      A fuel cycle centred solution could be one way forward, as a means of implementing the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy, while at the same time avoiding the risks of proliferation, through multilateralization/guarantees of access to the fruits of the most sensitive parts of the nuclear fuel cycle. Such a scheme, not meant to impinge on national choices and arrangements in terms of energy solutions, would need to address satisfactorily the following issues:
        •     Proliferation resistance
        •     Assurance of supply, including a predetermined and transparent decision-making mechanism and reliable guarantees for delivery.
        •     Consistency with the equal rights and obligations paradigm
        •     Market neutrality, both in the sense of not interfering with a functioning market and in maintaining a level playing field between various sources of energy.
Furthermore, technical issues, in particular safety and security, would have to be considered as well.
4.      Note should be made of the various initiatives taken to this effect as well as the forthcoming report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to its Board of Governors.
5.      The European Union believes that it is time, following the report of IAEA, to take the first concrete steps towards new approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle. These approaches would significantly contribute to reducing concerns about proliferation as well as about the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The European Union therefore intends to share its thoughts on the matter in an IAEA context while the debate is evolving.