START Treaty important step towards nuclear disarmament

“I am very pleased to note that the US Senate has given its consent to ratification of the New START Treaty with Russia on reductions in the number of strategic nuclear arms. This is important for our collective security,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

 The treaty is the first disarmament agreement to be concluded between the US and Russia in almost 20 years. It limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads that can be deployed by the parties to 1 550, a reduction from 2 200 under the previous treaty. The US and Russia hold more than 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons. It is therefore vital that these two countries take the lead and reduce their arsenals.

“Reductions in nuclear arsenals are important for our collective security. I regard the treaty as the beginning of a broader disarmament process that encompasses all categories of nuclear weapons. The goal is a nuclear-weapon-free world,” said Foreign Minister Støre.

“It is important that Russia now follows suit and ratifies the treaty so that it can enter into force as soon as possible,” said Mr Støre.