MOSCOW, May 28. /ITAR-TASS/. The Russian and Argentine Foreign Ministers, Sergei Lavrov and Hector Timerman, on Wednesday signed a joint statement in which the sides pledged not to be the first to deploy weapons in outer space. The document was adopted on the results of the ministers’ negotiations.

“Signing of the statement is a good example of similarity of our stances on international affairs,” Lavrov said as the two sides also urged effort towards a deal on peaceful use of nuclear energy.

“This Russian initiative wins more and more supporters and we hope that a corresponding resolution will also be adopted in the multilateral format at a UN General Assembly meeting this year,” he added.

International accords govern space activity by the two states. These are notably the 100-nation 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, and a 1963 treaty banning nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space and under water.