A nuclear weapon-free zone in Europe: concept - problems - chances

In: PRIF Working Papers, Band 27

Abstract

"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. This study 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." (author's abstract)