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Russia advocates creation of nuclear-weapon-free zone in Middle East — envoy

Ulyanov noted that Russia was participating in the conference as an observer and "does not consider any mentoring of other participants" in the forum possible or appropriate

VIENNA, November 16. /TASS/. Russia has consistently advocated the creation of a zone in the Middle East free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction zone, Russian Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said at the third session of the UN Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction (ME WMDFZ).

"Russia has consistently supported the establishment of a zone free of nuclear and other types of mass destruction in the Middle East. We can note with satisfaction that the Russian side has contributed a lot to allow this idea to come to life," the text of the speech published by the Russian Foreign Ministry on its website on Wednesday said.

Ulyanov noted that Russia was participating in the conference as an observer and "does not consider any mentoring of other participants" in the forum possible or appropriate. "We firmly assume that only the countries of the region can solve the problem of creating a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, and they will undoubtedly cope with it. However, if at any time the participants of the negotiations feel the need for Russian expertise, we are always at their disposal," the envoy added.

The Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which reviewed and extended the Treaty, adopted a resolution in 1995 calling for the creation of an effective Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction: nuclear, chemical and biological, and their delivery systems.

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