Likewise, we call on both countries to engage in a substantial dialogue with each other and agree on confidence building measures. We are committed to the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and welcome the recent ratifications by several countries. We call upon all states which have not yet done so to accede to it, without any change. We warmly welcome the fact that all impediments to starting such negotiations finally have been overcome and are looking forward to contributing to the substantial negotiations. We continue to believe that the systematic and progressive efforts by nuclear-weapon states to reduce nuclear weapons need to be intensified and pursued with determination.
Biological weapons pose grave dangers.
It is a shocking fact that they can also be produced by non-state actors. Therefore, the European Union gives priority to strengthening the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. We strive for the successful conclusion of the negotiations on a legally binding Protocol establishing a verification and compliance regime in 1999. I would also like to underline our commitment to the universality and to the full and effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, a landmark in the disarmament process. We are pleased that the number of signatories and ratifications is rising steadily and that the Convention will enter into force on 1 March 1999.