Thank you, Mr. President.

First of all let me join the previous speakers in congratulating you on the success of the adoption of the annual report. This is possible thanks to your distinguished leadership, as well as to the spirit of compromise and flexibility shown by Member States.

My great appreciation goes to the P6 members for their tireless efforts to bring the Conference out of its decade long hibernation and to create conditions for the history making of the Programme of Work CD/1864.

Although we are not able to embark on substantive work this year to implement CD/1864, which is truly regrettable, we do believe we have laid out foundations for our future work by despairing the chronic atmosphere of stagnation.

Mr. President,
Like many other delegations, my delegation was hoping for more forward looking annual report containing an encouraging message to the international community on the continuity of our work based on CD/1864.

However, at the same time, given the clear limit to what we can achieve at the CD level, my delegation believes it was no less important to carry forward the amicable atmosphere which led to the adoption of CD/1864. So in this regard, we welcome the report which we just adopted by consensus and would like to commend the accommodating manner in which CD Member States have conducted consultations on the annual report.

Cearly it is no small achievement which we all collectively can be proud of. However, we believe that it should not be complaced about where we stand at the moment. As I expect most of us will agree.

Mr. President,
Expectations for progress in nuclear disarmament and non proliferation in the international community are higher than ever, with various international disarmament events leading up to the next 2010 NPT Review Conference. It is paramount that the CD grasp a opportunity to benefit from this fertile environment.

Needless to say, the success of the 2010 CD will depend on how promptly and smoothly we can reach a consensus on the 2010 Programme of Work and the Conference resumes its work next January, as well articulated by some delegates. By this end I belief that throughout the intersessional period, including the First Committee in New York, uninterrupted efforts should be exerted to reinvigorate the positive spirit we have shared in the Conference on CD/1864 on May 29th. These efforts, individual or collective, should be made at every level, outgoing and incoming Presidencies, but also among the member states. My delegation will do its part in our endeavour to realize the earliest commencement of substantive work for the CD next year.

I thank you, Mr. President.

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