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Lavrov calls for CTBT to come into force as soon as possible

Photo EPA/MARTIAL TREZZINI

Photo EPA/MARTIAL TREZZINI

MOSCOW, October 2 (Itar-Tass) - Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insists the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty comes into effect as soon as possible, Russia's Foreign Ministry reported.

The ministry reported on Wednesday’s meeting between Lavrov and Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation Lassina Zerbo.

Lavrov said, “Russia considers the CTBT one of the key elements of the global security system in the field of the limitation of nuclear arms and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.”

During the meeting, Russia “confirmed commitment to contributing to the Treaty’s soonest coming into effect”, the ministry said.

The high-ranking officials noted the high level of cooperation between Russia and the CTBTO Provisional Technical Secretariat, the ministry said.

Zerbo expressed gratitude to Russia “for its unchanged position on the Treaty and the active efforts aimed at making the Treaty universal”.

At least 183 countries signed the CTBT and 161 states ratified it.

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