| Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT and Its Preparatory Committee |
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| 2004/04/16 |
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The third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons(NPT) was held in May 1999. After much debate, the meeting reached consensus on procedural issues of the Review Conference, such as the agenda and rules of procedure, paving the way for the convening of the conference next year. This is a significant achievement, guaranteeing the continuity of the NPT review process. However, we should also notice that due to the sharp difference between nuclear-weapon states and non-nuclear-weapon states on the issue of nuclear disarmament, as well as the wide divergence between the US and the Middle East Arabian countries on the issue of Middle East Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone, this session failed to submit any consensus proposals on substantive issues to the Review Conference, just like the second session. Even so, State Parties conducted in-depth and useful discussions on substantive issues. What is more important, all State Parties are committed to the three major objectives of the NPT, namely, nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This is the basis for future progress.
The Sixth NPT Review Conference, to be held in New York April 2000, will have a heavy working schedule. It is our hope that all parties will take a more realistic attitude and show flexibility, making joint efforts to ensure the success of the conference and to promote the attainment of the objectives set by the treaty.
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