The Conference of the States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons,
Reaffirming the purpose and provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons,
Recognizing that, pursuant to article VII of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons, the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones contributes to strengthening
the international non-proliferation regime,
Recalling that the Security Council, in its statement of 31 January 1992, 1/
affirmed that the proliferation of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction constituted a
threat to international peace and security,
Recalling also General Assembly resolutions adopted by consensus supporting the
establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, the latest of which is
resolution 49/71 of 15 December 1994,
Recalling further the relevant resolutions adopted by the General Conference of
the International Atomic Energy Agency concerning the application of Agency safeguards in the
Middle East, the latest of which is GC(XXXVIII)/RES/21 of 23 September 1994, and noting the
danger of nuclear proliferation, especially in areas of tension,
Bearing in mind Security Council resolution 687 (1991) and in particular paragraph
14 thereof,
Noting Security Council resolution 984 (1995) and paragraph 8 of the Decision on
Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament adopted by the Conference on 11 May
1995,
Bearing in mind the other Decisions adopted by the Conference on 11 May 1995,
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1. Endorses the aims and objectives of the Middle East peace process and
recognizes that efforts in this regard, as well as other efforts, contribute to,
inter alia, a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of
mass destruction;
2. Notes with satisfaction that in its report Main Committee III of the Conference
(NPT/CONF.1995/MC.III/1) recommended that the Conference "call on those remaining States
not parties to the Treaty to accede to it, thereby accepting an international legally
binding commitment not to acquire nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices and to
accept International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards on all their nuclear activities";
3. Notes with concern the continued existence in the Middle East of unsafeguarded
nuclear facilities, and reaffirms in this connection the recommendation contained in
paragraph VI/3 of the report of Main Committee III urging those non-parties to the Treaty
which operate unsafeguarded nuclear facilities to accept full scope International Atomic
Energy Agency safeguards;
4. Reaffirms the importance of the early realization of universal adherence to the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and calls upons all States of the
Middle East that have not yet done so, without exception, to accede to the Treaty as soon as
possible and to place their nuclear facilities under full scope International Atomic Energy
Agency safeguards;
5. Calls upon all States in the Middle East to take practical steps in appropriate
forums aimed at making progress towards, inter alia, the establishment of an effectively
verifiable Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, chemical and
biological, and their delivery systems, and to refrain from taking any measures that preclude
the achievement of this objective;
6. Calls upon all States party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons, and in particular the nuclear-weapon States, to extend their cooperation and to
exert their utmost efforts with a view to ensuring the early establishment by regional
parties of a Middle East zone free of nuclear and all other weapons of mass destruction
and their delivery systems.
