THE GROUP OF NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS (GNS) HAS HELD A PLENARY SESSION IN PARIS ¹ 637
637-30-6-2000
Unofficial translation from Russian
PRESS RELEASE
The Group of Nuclear Suppliers (GNS) has held a plenary session in Paris. The main goal of the Group, which involves 38 member countries and the European Commission as a permanent observer, is to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by enforcing control over the export of nuclear and nuclear-related materials and technologies.
The session was particularly important because it was held in the wake of the successful NPT Review Conference which had confirmed the importance of and the need for multilateral nuclear expert control mechanisms.
For the first time the session was attended by Byelorussia, Cyprus and Turkey as full members. Slovenia was invited as an observer.
The member states confirmed their commitment to carrying out a responsible nuclear export policy and noted the importance of the Group's contribution to the achievement of non-proliferation goals. They called for invigorating contacts with non-partners and making the work of the Group more transparent.
It was stressed that the GNS's activity should not hinder international cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of atomic energy. The member countries called for signing the protocol additional to the agreement with the IAEA on guarantees as soon as possible, saying that it would strengthen the system of guarantees and enhance peaceful nuclear cooperation.
Russia considers the GNS as one of the important elements of the non-proliferation regime. The Russian delegation took an active part in the plenary session. Moscow welcomes its results. We are open to further constructive interaction and cooperation with other countries within the framework of the GNS with the aim to solving the problems facing this export control mechanism.
