Concerning Thirty-Fifth Anniversary of Entry into Force of Treaty on Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

Unofficial translation from Russian

PRESS RELEASE

March 5 marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This is the most extensive international treaty, to which 188 states are parties.

NPT is a time-tested instrument, which has become a pillar of the system of international security. The thirty-five years have convincingly demonstrated the effectiveness of the well-balanced structure of the obligations therein contained with respect to the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, disarmament and the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy.

Today the NPT and the nonproliferation regime based on it are going through not easy times, having been confronted with new challenges and threats, of which the main one is the potential danger of use of nuclear materials for terrorist purposes. At the same time, despite all the changes in the world, the Treaty was and remains a major mechanism for checking the danger of the spread of nuclear weapons.

As a state party to the NPT and one of its depositaries, the Russian Federation has undeviatingly been abiding by its obligations under the Treaty and exerting efforts to impart to it a universal character.

The Seventh NPT Review Conference will be held in New York in May 2005 to survey the Treaty's operation and outline specific steps for the future, aimed at strengthening the global regime for nuclear nonproliferation.

March 5, 2005