The nuclear weapon free-zone (NWFZ) concept has been explored thoroughly in the decades since its introduction, and several regions throughout the world have succeeded in the challenging task of establishing such a zone and thus promoting nuclear non-proliferation and peace. The 2010 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) called on all states to establish additional NWFZ in regions, where such zones do not exist. The possible establishment of a NWFZ in conflict areas where the threat of nuclear weapons is present, such as the Middle East or South Asia, has already been at the center of much diplomatic and research effort for some time.
Working Paper No. 27 “A Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone in Europe. Concept – Problems – Chances“, written by Harald Müller, Giorgio Franceschini, Aviv Melamud, Daniel Müller, Annette Schaper and Anna Péczeli, takes on a new challenge and explores the idea of establishing a NWFZ in the heart of Europe, a region least likely to be associated with this concept: three major European states (France, Russia and the UK) are official nuclear weapon states and an extra-regional nuclear weapon state (the US) is heavily present through its practice of nuclear sharing with its European NATO allies.
Based on a thorough review of the NWFZ concept and its application in regions where such zones have been established, this study offers an evaluation of central provisions which could be included in a NWFZ arrangement in Europe. It analyzes and assesses the obstacles and objections – political, organizational, and technical – that a NWFZ in Europe would face, and explores ways to diffuse them.
The authors set set out under the assumption that despite political and strategic challenges, the exploration of the idea to establish a NWFZ in Europe would have multifold advantages. Coupled with an analysis of the current situation in Europe, they offer an evaluation of central provisions which could be included in a NWFZ arrangement in Europe, including members’ rights and obligations, verification mechanisms, and treaty protocols, and they further propose innovative mechanisms to broaden support for such an initiative on the sub-state level.
This PRIF Working Paper can be downloaded here.