UN General Assembly
1969

158. In that context the problem of disarmament assumes particular importance. There have been few questions which over so many years have been marked by so much hope and such deep disillusionment, by such devoted effort and by such limited concrete results. Last year, at long last, we were able to achieve a significant breakthrough with the elaboration and endorsement by the General Assembly of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [resolution 2373 (XXII)]. From the beginning we supported the conclusion of such a Treaty. Austria has signed and ratified it. Although we recognize that the Treaty is by no means perfect and does not as yet establish a true balance of obligations between the nuclear and the non-nuclear countries, it is our conviction that its conclusion was in the interest of all nations. It is therefore a matter of real regret to us that the Treaty has not yet entered into force. We are disappointed that the two major nuclear Powers, which were so active in its final elaboration, have so far not ratified it.