Arms control, disarmament and non-

proliferation in NATO
 Last updated: 22 Jun. 2018 13:26

NATO has a long-standing commitment to an active policy in arms control, disarmament

and non-proliferation. The Alliance continues to pursue its security objectives through
these policies, while at the same time ensuring that its collective defence obligations are
met and the full range of its missions fulfilled.

Highlights

 NATO seeks its security at the lowest possible level of forces.

 It actively contributes to effective and verifiable arms control, disarmament and
non-proliferation efforts through its policies, activities and its member countries.
NATO itself is not party to any treaty, but it supports and facilitates dialogue
among members, partners and other countries to implement their international
obligations fully.
 NATO Allies are parties to the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE)
Treaty, the Ottawa Convention on mine action, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT), the Chemical Weapons Convention and other related treaties and
agreements.
 In the field of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), NATO cooperates with the
United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), other regional organisations and
multilateral initiatives to address proliferation issues.
 Nuclear weapons committed to NATO have been reduced by more than 95 per
cent since the height of the Cold War.
 NATO will remain a nuclear alliance as long as there are nuclear weapons in the
world, but will do so at the lowest possible level and with an appropriate mix of
nuclear and conventional forces.
 NATO Allies also assist partner countries in the destruction of surplus stocks of
mines, arms and munitions. In addition, former military personnel receive
retraining assistance through defence reform Trust Fund projects.

 Definitions
While often used together, the terms arms control, disarmament and non-
proliferation do not mean the same thing. In fact, experts usually consider them to
reflect associated, but different areas in the same discipline or subject.

Arms control
 Arms control is the broadest of the three terms and generally refers to mutually
agreed upon restraints or controls (usually between states) on the research,
manufacture, or the levels of and/or locales of deployment of troops and weapons
systems.

Disarmament

Disarmament, often inaccurately used as a synonym for arms control, refers to the
act of eliminating or abolishing weapons (particularly offensive arms) either
unilaterally (in the hope that one’s example will be followed) or reciprocally.

Non-proliferation

For the Alliance, “non-proliferation refers to all efforts to prevent proliferation

from occurring, or should it occur, to reverse it by any other means than the use
of military force.”1 Non-proliferation usually applies to weapons of mass
destruction, which include nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.

Weapons of mass destruction proliferation

Attempts made by state or non-state actors to develop, acquire, manufacture,

possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons or
devices and their means of delivery or related material, including precursors,
without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the States Parties to
the following agreements: the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons or Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Convention on the Prohibition of
the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on
their Destruction (CWC) and the Convention on the Prohibition of the
Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and
Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC).

1. According to NATO’s Comprehensive, Strategic-Level Policy for Preventing

the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Defending Against
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Threats.

 Ways in which NATO effectively participates

NATO contributes to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation in many
ways: through its policies, its activities and through its member countries.

NATO’s policies in these fields cover consultation and practical cooperation in a

wide range of areas. These include conventional arms control; nuclear policy
issues; promoting mine action and combating the spread of small arms and light
weapons (SALW); preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
(WMD); and developing and harmonising capabilities to defend against chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
Conventional forces

Allies have reduced their conventional forces significantly from Cold War levels.
Allies remain committed to the regime of the CFE Treaty. As a response to
Russia`s unilateral “suspension” of its Treaty obligations in 2007, NATO CFE
Allies ceased implementing certain Treaty obligations vis-à-vis Russia in
November 2011, while still continuing to implement fully their obligations with
respect to all other CFE States Parties. Allies stated that these decisions are fully
reversible should Russia return to full implementation. At the 2012 Chicago
Summit, Allies reiterated their commitment to conventional arms control and
expressed their determination to preserve, strengthen and modernise the
conventional arms control regime in Europe, based on key principles and
commitments.

At their 2014 Wales and 2016 Warsaw Summits, Allies reaffirmed their long-
standing commitment to conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-
Atlantic security and emphasised the importance of full implementation and
compliance to rebuild trust and confidence. They underscored that Russia’s
unilateral military activity in and around Ukraine has undermined peace, security
and stability across the region, and its selective implementation of the Vienna
Document and Open Skies Treaty and long-standing non-implementation of the
CFE Treaty have eroded the positive contributions of these arms control
instruments. Allies called on Russia to fully adhere to its commitments.
Meanwhile, on 11 March 2015, the Russian Federation announced that it is
suspending its participation in the meetings of the Joint Consultative Group (JCG)
on the CFE Treaty, which meets regularly in Vienna.

Nuclear forces

NATO is committed to the goal of creating the conditions for a world without
nuclear weapons – but reconfirms that, as long as there are nuclear weapons in the
world, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance. However, it will do so at the lowest
possible level and with an appropriate mix of nuclear and conventional forces.
The nuclear weapons committed to NATO have been reduced by more than 95 per
cent since the height of the Cold War. NATO nuclear weapon states have also
reduced their nuclear arsenals and ceased production of highly enriched uranium
or plutonium for nuclear weapons. Allies remain committed to crafting the
conditions for further reductions in the future on the basis of reciprocity,
recognising that progress on arms control and disarmament must take into account
the prevailing international security environment.

Allies also emphasise their strong commitment to full implementation of the

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which has been the cornerstone of
global non-proliferation and disarmament efforts for nearly 50 years. The Alliance
reaffirms its resolve to seek a safer world for all and to create the conditions for a
world without nuclear weapons in accordance with all provisions of the NPT,
including Article VI, in a step-by-step and verifiable way that promotes
international stability, and is based on the principle of undiminished security for
all. Allies reiterate their commitment to progress towards the goals and objectives
of the NPT in its three mutually reinforcing pillars: nuclear disarmament, non-
proliferation and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

All Allies are party to the NPT and view it as an essential foundation for
international peace and security. At the Warsaw Summit in July 2016, NATO
leaders reiterated their commitment to the NPT and continued to call on Russia to
preserve the viability of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty by
ensuring full and verifiable compliance.

Armed forces

Through its cooperation framework with non-member countries, the Alliance

supports defence and security sector reform, emphasising civilian control of the
military, accountability, and restructuring of military forces to lower, affordable
and usable levels.

Small arms and light weapons (SALW) and mine action (MA)

Allies are working with non-member countries and other international

organisations to support the full implementation of the UN Programme of Action
to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in SALW in All its Aspects.

NATO also supports mine action activities across the globe. All NATO member
countries, with the exception of the United States, are party to the 1997 Mine Ban
Treaty, often referred to as the Ottawa Convention.

NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) Trust Fund Policy was initiated in 2000 to
assist countries in fulfilling their Ottawa Convention obligations to dispose of
stockpiles of anti-personnel landmines. The policy was later expanded to include
efforts to implement the UN Programme of Action on SALW. More recently, the
Trust Fund Policy has also been expanded to include projects addressing the
consequences of defence reform, training and building integrity.

NATO/Partnership Trust Funds may be initiated by a NATO member or partner

country to tackle specific, practical issues linked to these areas. They are funded
by voluntary contributions from individual NATO Allies, partners and
organisations.

At the 2016 Warsaw Summit, NATO Heads of State and Government emphasised
the need to do more to achieve lasting calm and an end to violence in the Middle
East and North Africa, which face continuing crises and instability with direct
implications for the security of NATO. They also made a plea for enhanced
practical cooperation, including through further support in the areas of counter-
terrorism, small arms and light weapons, countering improvised explosive
devices, and military border security.

Weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

“With due respect to the primarily military mission of the Alliance, NATO will
work actively to prevent the proliferation of WMD by State and non-State actors,
to protect the Alliance from WMD threats should prevention fail, and be prepared
for recovery efforts should the Alliance suffer a WMD attack or CBRN event,
within its competencies and whenever it can bring added value, through a
comprehensive political, military and civilian appoach.”2

NATO stepped up its activities in this area in 1999 with the launch of the WMD
Initiative and the establishment of a WMD Centre at NATO Headquarters the
following year. NATO Allies have also taken a comprehensive set of practical
initiatives to defend their populations, territory and forces against potential WMD
threats. As part of NATO’s outreach to Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC)
partners, Mediterranean Dialogue countries, Istanbul Cooperation Initiative
countries and other partner countries, the NATO Conference on WMD Arms
Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation is the only annual conference,
sponsored by an international organisation, dealing with all types and aspects of
weapons of mass destruction.

Of particular importance is NATO’s outreach to and cooperation with the UN, the
EU, other regional organisations and multilateral initiatives that address WMD
proliferation.

Chemical weapons

Since its entry into force in 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention has become
one of the pillars of the global non-proliferation regime. The Convention prohibits
the development, transfer and use of chemical weapons. States Parties to the
Convention include all NATO member countries; they commit not to develop,
produce or acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons, nor to transfer, directly
or indirectly, chemical weapons to anyone. States Parties also undertake not to
engage in any military preparations to use chemical weapons, nor to commit to
assist, encourage or induce anyone to engage in prohibited activity.

NATO stands at a crossroads, as the universal norm against chemical weapons use
is eroding. The first offensive use of a nerve agent on Alliance territory since
NATO’s foundation occurred on 4 March 2018 in Salisbury, the United Kingdom.
The military grade nerve agent was of a type developed by Russia. Allies agree
that the attack was a clear breach of international norms and agreements, and they
have called on Russia to disclose the Novichok programme to the Organisation
for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
 Allies strongly condemn the repeated use of chemical weapons by the Syrian
regime and call for those responsible to be held to account. Despite sustained
diplomatic efforts, the Syrian regime’s repeated use of chemical weapons against
civilians has contributed to appalling human suffering since the start of the
conflict in 2011. The use of such weapons is in flagrant violation of international
standards and non-proliferation norms, multiple UN Security Council
Resolutions, and the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria ratified in 2013.
NATO considers any use of chemical weapons by state or non-state actors to be a
threat to international peace and security.

2. NATO’s Comprehensive, Strategic-Level Policy for Preventing the

Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and Defending Against
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Threats, Para 4.

 Evolution of NATO’s contribution to arms control,

disarmament and non-proliferation
Active policies in arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation have been an
inseparable part of NATO’s contribution to security and stability since the Harmel
Report of 1967.

Harmel Report

This report formed the basis for NATO’s security policy. It outlined two
objectives: maintaining a sufficient military capacity to act as an effective and
credible deterrent against aggression and other forms of pressure while seeking to
improve East-West relations. The Alliance’s objectives in arms control have been
tied to the achievement of both aims. It is therefore important that defence and
arms control policies remain in harmony and are mutually reinforcing.

Comprehensive Concept of Arms Control and Disarmament

In May 1989, NATO adopted the Comprehensive Concept of Arms Control and
Disarmament, which allowed the Alliance to move forward in the sphere of arms
control. It addressed the role of arms control in East-West relations, the principles
of Alliance security and a number of guiding principles and objectives governing
Allied policy in the nuclear, conventional and chemical fields of arms control.

It clearly set out the interrelationships between arms control and defence policies
and established the overall conceptual framework within which the Alliance
sought progress in each area of its arms control agenda.

The Alliance’s Strategic Concept

NATO’s continued adherence to this policy was reaffirmed in the 2010 Strategic
Concept (with regard to nuclear weapons):
“It [This Strategic Concept] commits NATO to the goal of creating the conditions
for a world without nuclear weapons – but reconfirms that, as long as there are
nuclear weapons in the world, NATO will remain a nuclear Alliance.”

It continues, on a more general note:

“NATO seeks its security at the lowest possible level of forces. Arms control,
disarmament and non-proliferation contribute to peace, security and stability,
and should ensure undiminished security for all Alliance members. We will
continue to play our part in reinforcing arms control and in promoting
disarmament of both conventional weapons and weapons of mass destruction, as
well as non-proliferation efforts.”

Deterrence and Defence Posture Review

The NATO Deterrence and Defence Posture Review (DDPR), agreed at the
Chicago Summit in 2012, addresses issues of arms control, disarmament and non-
proliferation. The DDPR document underscores: “The Alliance is resolved to seek
a safer world for all and to create the conditions for a world without nuclear
weapons in accordance with the goals of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in
a way that promotes international stability, and is based on the principle of
undiminished security for all”. It also repeats that as long as nuclear weapons
exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.

The Special Advisory and Consultative Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-
Proliferation Committee (ADNC) was established on the basis of DDPR
agreement.

Summit declarations

Allied leaders have reiterated their commitment in declarations made at every

summit meeting since 1999. For instance, at the Bucharest Summit in 2008,
Allied leaders took note of a report on raising NATO’s profile in the fields of arms
control, disarmament and non-proliferation. As part of a broader response to
security issues, they agreed that NATO should continue to contribute to
international efforts in these fields and keep these issues under active review.
Subsequently, these commitments were reaffirmed in the official declarations of
summits that have since taken place. Additionally, at the 2009 Strasbourg/Kehl
Summit, Allied leaders endorsed NATO’s Comprehensive, Strategic-Level Policy
for Preventing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and
Defending Against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN)
Threats.
 In the 2016 Warsaw Summit Declaration, the Alliance reaffirmed its long-
standing commitment to conventional arms control as a key element of Euro-
Atlantic security and emphasised the importance of full implementation and
compliance to rebuild trust and confidence. Allied leaders also stated that Russia's
unilateral military activity in and around Ukraine has undermined peace, security
and stability across the region, and its selective implementation of the Vienna
Document and Open Skies Treaty and long-standing non-implementation of the
CFE Treaty have eroded the positive contributions of these arms control
instruments. At Warsaw, NATO also continued to call on Russia to preserve the
viability of the INF Treaty and condemned the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea (DPRK) for its multiple ballistic missile tests and its nuclear tests, calling
DPRK to immediately cease and abandon all its existing nuclear and ballistic
missile activities in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner and re-engage
in international talks.

 NATO bodies dealing with these issues

A number of NATO bodies oversee different aspects of Alliance activities in the
fields of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. Overall political
guidance is provided by the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s highest political
decision-making body. More detailed oversight of activities and policy in specific
areas is provided by a number of bodies, including the High Level Task Force
(HLTF) on Conventional Arms Control, the Special Advisory and Consultative
Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Committee (ADNC), the
Nuclear Planning Group High Level Group (NPG/HLG), the Verification
Coordinating Committee (VCC), the Committee on Proliferation (CP) in politico-
military and defence format.

Within NATO’s cooperative frameworks, the EAPC (in particular, the Ad Hoc
Working Group on SALW and Mine Action) has a central role.