  Russian MFA makes statement timed to completion of START termsDecember 4, 2009 - 20:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Validity of the signed on July 31, 1991 Treaty between the USSR and the USA on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START Treaty - Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) expires on December 4, 2009. Russia has exercised the rights and responsibilities borne by the Treaty as a state - successor to the USSR. According to the statement Russian Foreign Ministry, the treaty has played a vital role in ensuring international peace, security and strategic stability. START has greatly strengthened the regime of nuclear non-proliferation and gave significant impetus to disarmament, becoming a tangible and consistent step towards a world free of nuclear weapons. "Russia and the United States fully complied with their obligations under the Treaty. In total, since the end of the Cold War, Russia has more than twice reduced the number of strategic warheads, eliminating more than 3,000 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), some 1500 launchers of ICBMs and SLBMs as well as more than 45 atomic submarines and more than 65 heavy bombers. Implementation of the START Treaty would have been impossible without efforts of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine in accordance with the Protocol to the Treaty, signed on May 23, 1992 in Lisbon. Intensive work to prepare for the signing of a full-length two-way legally binding treaty on measures for further reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms is nearing its completion. The future treaty should become another milestone in the disarmament and nonproliferation, mark transition to a higher level of interaction between Russia and the United States, reaffirm the common goals of the two countries in the promotion of mutual and global security. Russia calls on all States and, above all, states possessing nuclear arsenals, to join its ongoing cooperation with U.S. efforts in disarmament," the statement of RF Foreign Ministry stressed.   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".   Partner news |  Related sections Latest news Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia  Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for childrenMoscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said.Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19.Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |
