Disarmament Documentation

G8 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING, UK CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT, June 6, 2005

G8 Foreign Ministers met in London on 23 June to discuss a range of global and regional issues. The meeting focussed on the situation in Afghanistan - on which we have issued a separate statement - the Middle East and Iran. We also exchanged views on UN Reform, international trade in arms, and developments in the Western Balkans, Sudan, North Korea, Iraq, Lebanon, Zimbabwe and Haiti...

Iran

Foreign Ministers underlined the G8's full support for the work of France, Germany and the UK, together with the EU High Representative, to negotiate long term arrangements for Iran's nuclear programme that provide objective guarantees that Iran's programme is for exclusively peaceful purposes. We agreed that for the process to continue, and to build confidence, it is essential that Iran adheres to the Paris Agreement and keeps all fuel cycle activities fully suspended.

Concerns were expressed about Iran's ballistic missile programme, and its attitude towards terrorism and the Middle East Peace Process.

We reaffirmed our commitment to the work being undertaken to improve respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran. In that regard, concerns were expressed by some G8 members about the preparations for and conduct of the Presidential elections in Iran...

International Trade in Conventional Arms

We discussed our common concerns about the proliferation of conventional arms in areas of conflict and instability. The UK elaborated on its proposal for an Arms Trade Treaty.

We agreed that developing a common understanding of governments' responsibilities would be an important step in tackling the undesirable proliferation of conventional arms. We agreed on the need for further work to build a consensus for action, taking full account of other relevant initiatives...

North Korea

We discussed North Korea's record of WMD-related activities. This remains of profound concern to us all. We urge North Korea to return promptly to the Six Party Talks in order to continue discussions on a comprehensive solution, including the verifiable dismantlement of its nuclear weapons-related programmes.

We also discussed other security issues and human rights abuses in North Korea, including abductions. We urge the North Korean authorities to take prompt steps to address these concerns.

Iraq

We welcomed the results of yesterday's International Conference on Iraq which demonstrated the strength of the international community's support for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi Transitional Government in their efforts to complete the political process free of foreign interference, rebuild their country, and bring an end to terrorist attacks. We call on Iraq's neighbours to contribute to a secure and stable environment in Iraq. We also reiterate our support for the Sharm El-Sheikh process. We welcome the decision to establish a donor coordination mechanism in Baghdad and look forward to follow up work to deliver effective international support to Iraq's reconstruction.

Source: G8 Gleneagles 2005, http://www.g8.gov.uk.

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