Mr. Chairman

On behalf of the Romanian delegation, I would like to congratulate you on your election as chairman of this Conference and let me extend my congratulations to the distinguished elected vice-chairman. Also, I want to thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations for convening this Conference, in his capacity as depository of the Treaty. I would like to express my hope that the Conference will end with a successful outcome for accelerating the process of entry into force of the Treaty. In this respect, I ensure you of the Romanian delegation full support.

Mr. Chairman

My delegation fully supports the statement made by the Belgium Presidency of the European Union on behalf of the members and the associated countries. Having in mind the scope of this Conference, let me complement the EU's position with some particular points which we consider important to stress.

The adoption of the CTBT by the UN General Assembly in 1996 brought to an end one of the longest treaty negotiations in the history of arms control and disarmament. The Treaty is still to enter into force and we have to find solutions to accelerate the ratification process, as well as to ensure an effective verification system.

We reaffirm our commitment to promote the early entry into force of the CTBT as a high priority objective in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. A universal and effectively viable ban on nuclear tests continues to be seen as an essential component of regional and international peace and security and as a decisive step forward toward achieving the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.

As all of us know, since the adoption of the Treaty, 161 states have signed and 84 have deposited their instruments of ratification. 31 of these states - including Romania - are among the 44 listed in Annex 2 of the Treaty, whose ratifications are required for the entry into force. We welcome this evidence of a determination to start hopefully a new century and a new Millennium without any type of nuclear test explosion as set out in the Article 1 of the Treaty.

The Treaty was regrettably challenged in 1998 by the two nuclear tests in South Asia. However we appreciate the statements of the concerned states, declaring an end to further nuclear testing and their willingness to accede to the CTBT. All states must accept and observe a complete ban on any and all future tests.

We note with satisfaction the steadily progress achieved so far by the Preparatory Commission and by the Provisional Technical Secretariat in establishing an efficient verification system for the Treaty. We appreciate all the efforts undertaken with the view to ensure that an effective verification regime is operational at the entry into force. Also, we believe that those efforts will provide further the support required to enable the PrepCom and the Secretariat to successfully complete their tasks.

In accordance with the provision of Art.XIV, we have to consider what measures consistent with the international law may be undertaken to accelerate the ratification process. We recognized that some progress was achieved here since the last conference and this process is expected to continue. The review of those states whose ratification is required for the entry into force has pointed out the need for further encouragement in the ratification process. This review has to be conducted periodically as being complementary to different bilateral and multilateral initiatives for promoting the entering into force of the Treaty. The PrepCom and the Secretary General of the UN, as depository, are likewise encouraged to actively support these efforts consistent with their respective mandates.

We further appeal to those states that have not yet done to sign and, thereafter, ratify the treaty at the earliest possible date, in order to promote its universal adherence; to those states that have not yet ratified the Treaty to accelerate their ratification processes and to leaders of civil society to rise awareness of and support for the objective of the Treaty.

Mr. Chairman
At the end of my statement let me express the appreciation for the activities undertaken by the Provisional Technical Secretariat with the view to set up the International Monitoring System and the International Data Center.

I would like to wish success to the Conference in fulfilling its tasks.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
 

Sources

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