EU L20 EoV

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

Conference on Disarmament

General Assembly First Committee

UN Disarmament Commission

Special Session on Disarmament

Explanation of vote

Draft resolution L.20

"Report of the Disarmament Commission"

Italian delegation on behalf of the European Union

Mr Chairman,

I am pleased to speak on behalf of the European Union on draft resolution L.20o entitled, "Report of the Disarmament Commission." The Acceding Countries (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia) align themselves with this general statement.

The EU attaches special importance to the work of the Disarmament Commission. It is an important deliberative body aimed at promoting fruitful, multilateral dialogue in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation. Its inability to make progress this year, at the end of a three year consideration of the two items on the agenda, was particularly disappointing. Next month's organisational meeting will see the start of discussions on items for its consideration in the period 2004-2007. In our view, it should adopt a more constructive and realistic approach to its next phase of work.

The EU reaffirms its commitment to a successful outcome of the Disarmament Commission's work and to every possible effort in order to promote topical, concrete and useful recommendations.

This, Mr Chairman, is the reason why the EU supports draft resolution L.20.

I thank you, Mr Chairman.