We look forward to the early entry into force of the Treaty on Open Skies and adherence to it from interested states which are participating in the CSCE but are not original signatories to the Treaty as provided for by article XVII of the Treaty, and called for in the CSCE Open Skies Declaration of 24 March 1992. The non-proliferation of nuclear weapons is an essential element of cooperative security and of international stability. We welcome the commitments by Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine to become non-nuclear weapon states and urge them to negotiate safeguards agreements with the IAEA as soon as possible. We urge all states concerned to uphold, as a matter of priority, the commitments set out in the Alma Ata and Minsk accords and welcome the announcement that withdrawal of former Soviet tactical nuclear weapons to Russia for ultimate dismantlement has been completed well before the 1 July target date. We also expect the full implementation of all obligations undertaken unilaterally and bilaterally by the Russian Federation concerning tactical and strategic nuclear weapons reductions.
Allies reiterate their offers to provide assistance in the process of eliminating nuclear weapons.
International transfers of conventional armaments beyond legitimate defence needs in particular to regions of tension, increase the dangers of conflict and hinder the achievement of peaceful settlement of disputes. We are committed to working towards transparency and restraint in this field and fully support the universal register of conventional arms transfers established by the United Nations. We call on all UN member states to provide the required data to make this register fully effective. We shall furthermore examine how the CSCE can contribute to responsible policies on arms transfers. We are convinced that agreement on a global, comprehensive and effectively verifiable ban on chemical weapons can be reached this year, and are determined to complete the Geneva negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament successfully.