Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,

At the outset, I would like on behalf of the Government of Armenia to extend our congratulations on your election as President of this Conference. I would like also to thank Ambassadors Olga Pellicer of Mexico and Nobuyasu Abe of Japan, as well as the whole staff of the Provisional Technical Secretariat for their work during the year.

Mr. President,

Over the past decade the international community has achieved a significant progress in its efforts to create safer world, free of nuclear weapons. The adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) by the UN General Assembly in September 1996 created a new international mechanism aimed at prohibiting all nuclear test explosions.

In addition to other measures, the CTBT provides a very important instrument to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. As an integral part of the international legal framework, the CTBT contributes to the enhancement of international peace and security, and constitutes one of the main and essential elements in the global architecture of nuclear disarmament. This important Treaty is a key element of the nuclear-weapon states’ NPT Article VI commitment to pursue negotiations to cease the arms race and on nuclear disarmament. Meanwhile, such an important and almost universal tool like NPT was in its turn extended indefinitely in 1995, largely due to the renewed commitment by the major nuclear weapons powers to the CTBT and other Article VI objectives.

Mr. President,

The September 11 attacks on New York clearly demonstrated that international community must use the whole package of international legal instruments in its entirety. The strong international co-operation is needed, and concerted actions of international community should be called for to meet the threats and challenges of the new century. In particular, by adopting necessary measures on global, regional and national levels we must make sure that nuclear materials and technologies will not end up in the wrong hands.

Mr President,

Armenia was among the first countries to sign the CTBT and to deposit a ratification instrument of the Additional Protocol to the agreement with IAEA on application of safeguards; as to assure that nuclear energy is being used for exceptionally peaceful purposes. The process of ratification of CTBT in my country is underway, which will be followed by further actions in preparing the necessary legislation to implement the obligations of the Treaty at its entry into force.

We believe that bringing the CTBT into force will give a new impetus to the existing disarmament's mechanisms. In particular, it could revitalise important process of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT). Armenia concluded a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency in 1993. Since the Agreement entered into force on 5 May 1994, Armenia’s nuclear material at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant has been under the Agency’s fullscope safeguards. Each transportation of nuclear fuel within the territory of ANPP  has been performed under the supervision of IAEA Department of Safeguard inspectors.

Mr. President,

We are encouraged by the amount of work and progress achieved by the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO. Armenia reiterates its full and unequivocal support for the efforts of the Preparatory Commission to establish a strong verification regime in a timely manner and in accordance with the relevant provisions of CTBT. We believe that International Monitoring System, as a key component of the Treaty’s verification mechanism, represents a substantial and important investment by the international community, and will enable all States Parties to participate in and benefit from this vital System.

 Mr. President,

I would like also to respond to the baseless accusations made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. Unfortunately it is not the first time that Azerbaijan uses different international foras to accuse Armenia. The continuous repetition of the word “occupation” is only intended to cover the belligerent rhetoric of the Azeri leadership.

Armenia supports the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones as an important element of the overall process of nuclear disarmament. In particular, we support the establishment of such zones providing that according to the guidelines adopted by the Disarmament Commission they are freely arrived at among all states of the regions concerned. Armenia will support any new proposal for the establishment of such zones when a consensus is reached among concerned states. We strongly believe, that such consensus must be reached prior to seeking international consideration.

Mr. President,

We have to use this historic opportunity for the sake of whole human civilisation to ban all nuclear explosions forever and to further the vital process of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Armenian delegation is willing and ready to co-operate fully, and to make its every effort and endeavour towards the success of this conference.

Thank you.
 
 

Sources

• http://www.un.org/webcast/ctbt/statements/armeniaE.htm