The EU’s Performance in the 2015 NPT Review Conference: What Went Wrong

Abstract

This article presents a performance analysis of the European Union (EU) during the 2015 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. Detailing what went wrong for the EU across three levels of performance analysis, the article goes on to present a number of key lessons for the EU approaching the next NPT review cycle. First, the EEAS should focus its energies onto specified ‘EU’ issues where there is greater convergence of Member States interests. Second, the EU must concentrate on its outreach with third countries prior to and during NPT review negotiations, particularly other NPT groups such as the NPDI. Third, portrayals of the EU as a ‘microcosm’ of the NPT raise expectations of the EU’s contribution to this forum and should not be overstated. Reconsideration of the EU’s raison d’être as a group within the NPT is therefore encouraged with a re-emphasis upon the EU’s regional bloc identity particularly warranted.