CTBTO

On 22 May the Russian Permanent Mission in cooperation with the Russian NGO “Center for Energy and Security Studies” (CENESS) hold an event “CTBT: Critical Steps to Facilitate Treaty’s Entry Into Force” in the Vienna International Center.

The Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation Mr. Mikhail Ulyanov, Ambassador at large Mr. Grigory Berdennikov who was the head of the Russian Delegation at the negotiations in Geneva to elaborate the Treaty, CENESS Director Mr. Anton Khlopkov, CENESS Associate Researcher Ms. Anastasia (Asya) Shavrova spoke at the event.

The speakers confirmed the principal line of our country in support of the CTBT and to ensure its early entry into force. They expressed our serious concern with regard to the situation around the Treaty due to a refusal of the present US Administration of their intention to ratify the CTBT.

Interactive discussion that followed demonstrated that representatives of international community realized the urgent need to make the Treaty operational without delay as an important element of assuring global security and stability, and that they intended to seek the ways to resolve this problem. The participants also touched upon the role of NGOs and expert community in raising CTBT’s profile including at international forums, as well as a contribution of young specialists from the CTBT Youth Group to promoting the Treaty.

Members of Vienna diplomatic corps, Vienna based international organizations, CTBT Group of Eminent Persons (GEM), participants of the 2^nd Science Diplomacy Symposium and representatives of expert community took part in the event.