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Press Releases November 1, 2007
"The German Government is deeply concerned by the growing spread of missile systems and therefore supports the initiative put forward by Russia and the US for the global elimination of all ground-launched short and intermediate-range missiles. Expanding the INF Treaty, which currently only applies to the US and Russia, would, in the view of the German Government, represent a significant step towards overcoming the impasse in the field of nuclear delivery systems. The INF Treaty is one of the main pillars of the global and, in particular, European security architecture. The German Government attaches great importance to its preservation and further development. The Non-Proliferation Treaty in particular obliges all contracting parties to vigorously advance the nuclear disarmament process. The successful implementation of the US-Russian proposal would lend nuclear disarmament policy urgently needed impetus and thus increase its credibility. The initiative is therefore fully in line with the German Government's disarmament goals." The INF Treaty was concluded between the US and the USSR in 1987 and obliges the two partners to scrap all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of between 500 and 5,500 km (i.e. short and intermediate-range missiles). The Treaty also bans the production and testing of this type of weapon. Elimination of these missiles was completed in 1991. Although in principle the Treaty is of unlimited duration, either side can withdraw from it. This year the Russian side has expressed doubts as to the relevance of the INF Treaty to the present day. The US and Russian Foreign and Defence Ministers decided during their meeting in Moscow on 12 and 13 October to introduce a joint multi-lateralization initiative in the UN General Assembly. |
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