In order to combat the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and related materials, equipment and technologies, the EU P2P programme for the dual-use goods aims at enhancing the effectiveness of dual-use export controls worldwide.
Export Controls or, Strategic Trade Controls aim at administering and facilitating the international trade of dual-use goods. Dual-use goods are highly sensitive products and technologies used for either civilian or military applications.
The overall framework for these efforts is set in the EU Global Strategy, the preceding EU Security Strategy (2003, PDF), the EU Strategy against the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and the EU regulation No 2021/821 and its amendments, the EC Delegated Act containing the annual revision to EU dual-use control list as a reference.
At international level, the legal ground is set by UNSCR 1540, calling all states to establish, develop, review and maintain appropriate effective national export and transhipment controls over nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, including appropriate laws and regulations to control export, transit, trans-shipment and re-export.
Members
The EU's cooperation programme on export controls of dual-use goods began in 2004 with only four members, from South East Europe. Today, it has expanded to include more than 30 countries from 12 regions, across the globe.
Thanks to the Programme's activities and the active engagement of its partners, more than 17 countries have formally adopted some version of the EU dual-use control list in their national legal frameworks.
Objectives
The programme's objective is to enhance capacities on strategic trade controls of dual-use goods through the creation, consolidation and/or updating of effective strategic trade control systems for dual-use goods in partner countries by offering them a long-term perspective for cooperation and mutual economic benefits of export controls harmonisation.
Promoting international cooperation in dual-use trade controls, sharing EU best practises and supporting third countries to meet their international obligations, most notably the 1540 UN Security Council Resolution's requirements are key objectives of the EU’s actions in this area.
The programme strengthens national and regional capacity, taking into account the balance between security and economic considerations.
Examples of cooperation activities include:
- dialogue and regional conferences
- support in the drafting of relevant export control legislation
- training for customs and licensing officials
- train-the-trainer seminars
- e-learning modules
- case studies and table top exercises
The programme is needs-based and it operates on the basis of peer-to-peer consultations.
Experts
Approximately 200 subject matter experts from the EU and outside, coming from diverse backgrounds offer expertise to the various EU P2P projects.
Funding through NDICI
The EU P2P Export Control Programme is funded through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe).
NDICI - Global Europe contributes to achieving the international commitments and objectives that the Union has agreed to, in particular the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
NDICI merges several former EU external financing instruments including the previous funding line for the EU’s cooperation activities for export controls, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP).