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P5 nuclear non-proliferation conference concludes

P5 delegates -- the five nuclear weapon states who are signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States) -- met in Beijing on April 14 and 15 for a nuclear non-proliferation conference.

By JC Finley

BEIJING, April 16 (UPI) -- P5 delegates -- the five nuclear weapon states who are signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States) -- met in Beijing on April 14 and 15 for a nuclear non-proliferation conference.

The focus of this year's meeting was "Enhancing Strategic Confidence and Working Together to Implement the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Review Outcomes."

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At the conclusion of the meeting, the P5 issued a joint statement.

"The P5 had an exchange of views on their nuclear doctrines, strategic stability, and international security from their individual country perspectives to gain better understanding and build strategic trust. They also discussed the importance of verification in achieving progress towards further disarmament and ensuring the success of nonproliferation efforts."

During the conference, Russia and the U.S. provided briefings on the status of the New START Treaty's implementation and on the implementation status of the Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of Highly-Enriched Uranium Extracted From Nuclear Weapons.

Delegates discussed issues of transparency, confidence-building, and verification.

In an "endeavor to enhance transparency and mutual understanding," the P5 reported that delegates "visited the Chinese National Data Centre for the implementation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)."

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The P5 expressed concern regarding states that have not yet entered into the nonproliferation regime, and urged those states to do so in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Member states voiced their support for the convening of a conference for Middle East states focused "on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at by the states of the region."

The P5 also discussed efforts to strengthen the IAEA's safeguards system, including providing assistance to the IAEA when there is evidence that non-nuclear weapon states are engaged in nuclear weapon programs.

The next P5 conference is scheduled for 2015 in London.

[State Department]

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