G8 Research Group

The EU has received a score of 0.75 for the achievement of its regional security objectives at the G8 2010 Summit. The consensus of the G8 leaders on the necessity of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, as well as renewed support for disarmament initiatives via a New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the US and Russia in particular are successes for the EU and its goals in this sector. The G8 additionally called on all states to address non-compliance issues and conclude a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as a renewal of the commitments of the Washington Nuclear Security Summit, aiming to secure all vulnerable nuclear material within four years.

The EU experienced relative success in the attainment of its non-confrontational engagement goals at this year’s Summit. The Muskoka Declaration called attention to the EU’s High Representation among other nations for committing to establishing diplomatic dialogue with Iran in an effort to uphold UN Security Council Resolution 1929, as well as expanded dialogue initiatives between Israelis and Palestinians, and the implementation of the 2005 Joint Statement of Six Party Talks relating to the Democratic Republic of Korea. Other non-confrontational engagement strategies in sensitive global areas include the G8 Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Region Prosperity Initiative has undertaken a Peshawar-Jalalabad expressway project in the hopes of improving bilateral relations in that region, as well as pledges to improve and expand civilian reinforcement and expertise initiatives as part of on-site monitoring and implementation strategies. Maritime security and international policing were also discussed, but with the aim for increased coordination rather than outright expansion.

The EU was not able to limit its engagements and interests solely to Europe and its peripheries as desired. The G8 leaders were vocal in their condemnation of the Democratic Republic of Korea’s actions against the Republic of Korea, as well as its humanitarian and nuclear transgressions. They likewise came out against global terrorism and piracy, originating in the latter case from Somalia in particular. They called upon Myanmar to institute free elections and called on the release of political prisoners Aung San Suu Kyi and the Israeli Gilad Shalit. They were supportive of Pakistan in attempting to drive out violent extremist elements, and of the eventual creation of an independent State of Palestine in the Gaza region.