• Main Menu

• Foreign Policy
• International Trade
• Travel Assistance
• Countries and Regions
• Culture, Education and Youth
• Ministers

NEWS RELEASES

November 28, 2002 (12:20 p.m. EST) No. 161

CANADA WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT AGAINST BALLISTIC MISSILE PROLIFERATION

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham today welcomed the formal inauguration of the International Code of Conduct (ICOC) against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. Canada subscribed to the Code at the launching conference for the ICOC, which took place on November 25 and 26 in The Hague.

"Canada welcomes the inauguration of this important new multilateral agreement," said Minister Graham. "Canada has long been a leading supporter of international efforts to combat the proliferation of ballistic missiles and has been deeply involved in creating the Code. I believe we have accomplished what we set out to achieve--the first multilateral instrument that sets standards and encourages cooperative approaches to deal with missile non-proliferation among subscribing nations."

The ICOC commits subscribing states to curbing and preventing the proliferation of ballistic missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction and exercising maximum possible restraint in the development, testing and deployment of such missiles including, where possible, reduction of national holdings. To increase transparency and reduce mistrust among subscribing states, the Code introduces confidence-building measures such as annual declarations outlining ballistic missile policies and requirements for advance notice of missile launches.

Canada was one of more than 90 countries to subscribe to the Code prior to the conference.

A copy of the new Code of Conduct is available at http://www.minbuza.nl/default.asp?CMS_ITEM=MBZ460871

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact: