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Treaties and Institutions

Bundestag debate in 1958 on the nuclear armament of the Federal Armed Forces

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) of 1968 is the foundation of the international nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. It obliges the nuclear-weapon states which are parties to the Treaty to strive for complete nuclear disarmament – in return for which non-nuclear-weapon states refrain from developing nuclear weapons.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

The IAEA is the most important international organization for global nuclear cooperation. Its goal is to increase the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world (Atoms for Peace). Accordingly, it supports measures to improve (operational) safety and protect nuclear installations and materials; it also promotes technical cooperation.

For a worldwide ban of nuclear tests

To date over 2,000 nuclear weapon tests have been carried out worldwide. The German government is working towards the goal of ensuring that the North Korean test of 9 October 2006 remains the last of its kind and that nuclear tests are banned worldwide. This is the aim of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). On 17 and 18 September 2007 consultations took place in Vienna aimed at the CTBT's swift entry into force.

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Committees, projects and initiatives

Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC)

Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)

Since June 2003 a number of countries have been cooperating on the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), an initiative launched in response to proposals put forward by the USA and designed to prevent the transport and transfer of weapons of mass destruction (proliferation). Germany is a co-founder of the PSI.

Concerns about Iranian nuclear programme

Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle expressed serious concern about the latest developments in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme. Westerwelle warned that if Iran maintained its current position of refusing to cooperate, the United Nations would have no choice but to discuss “further measures”. Iran has announced that it has begun enriching uranium to a higher level (20 percent).

Blasting of the cooling tower of the Yongbyon nuclear plant, 27 June 2008 © dpa/picture-alliance

North Korea's nuclear programme

Since the May 2009 tests the international community has once again been occupied with North Korea’s nuclear and missile programme. Following progress in previous years, the six-party talks have been deadlocked since the end of 2008, and it remains questionable whether North Korea is prepared to forego nuclear weapons.

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