 |
Canada, Russia Sign Joint Statement on Strategic Stability
Canada and Russia signed a joint statement Ottawa Monday, confirming their "commitment to strengthening strategic stability and international security."
The Canada-Russia Joint Statement on Strategic Stability described the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM Treaty) as "a cornerstone of strategic stability and an important foundation for international efforts on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation."
"The two countries hope for the earliest entry into force and full implementation of the START II Treaty," the statement said.
"They also hope for conclusion of a START III Treaty as soon as possible, including far-reaching reductions in strategic offensive weapons while preserving and strengthening the ABM Treaty," the document added.
Russia has been insistently opposed to attempts by the United States to test and deploy a so-called NMD system in replacement of the ABM Treaty, while Canada and many other NATO countries keep difference with the United States on the issue, fearing the NMD will destroy the strategic stability under the ABM Treaty since 1972.
At the signing of the document, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin told a press conference about their determination to enhance cooperation in preserving strategic stability.
Chretien said the United States has not been successful in testing the NMD system, which has aroused concerns from most countries including China.
Canada has not been requested to participate in the system, nor has it directly involved in it, he reiterated.
Putin praised Canada for its support for international dialogue against any plan to undermine the balance of power, saying Canada has an important role to play in securing the stability because of its special relationship with the United States.
He reaffirmed that the ABM Treaty has been for decades the "absolute" guarantee for the international security, which is in danger of being damaged by the US NMD plan.
Putin arrived here late Sunday for a three-day official visit, the first he has paid to Canada since he became Russian president last year.
In This Section
|