Transcribed Statement of the Ambassador of Belarus Mr. Sergei Martynov to the Conference on Disarmament 31/5/01

Mr. President,

First of all I would like to congratulate you on your accession to the responsible post of President of the Conference and express our confidence that your experience and leadership will create the necessary conditions for productive work. Allow me Mr. President to assure you of the comprehensive support for your efforts from the delegation of Belarus and to wish you every success. The Republic of Belarus continues to attach great importance to participation in the Conference's work. And we concentrate our efforts on achieving comprehensive and complete nuclear disarmament as well as enhancing transparency and predictability in this area. In my statement today I would like to inform the Conference that on 17 May 2001 the Higher Chamber of the Assembly of Belarus and the Council of the Republic approved the Open Skies Treaty, which was ratified on 3 May 2001 by the Chamber Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus. This decision by our Parliament clearly shows the devotion of the Republic of Belarus to strict compliance with its publications in the area of international security and arms control. We hope that it will serve to further strengthen confidence and understanding among states. Thank you sir.