MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
OFFICE
INTRODUCTION
The UK attaches great importance to efforts
which prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
(WMD) and promote their elimination. Such efforts enhance our
security and reduce the threats we face. We play a leading role
in the implementation of the non-proliferation treaties and conventions
now in force, principally the Treaty On The Non-Proliferation
of Nuclear Weapons, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological
and Toxin Weapons Convention. We also work to promote agreement
on further international steps. The UK's enforcement of strict
national export controls is a further important measure against
proliferation of WMD. National controls are reinforced by co-operation
within the international export control regimes.
There has been impressive progress in extending
and reinforcing the regimes during the last decade. However, serious
challenges—particularly missile proliferation—face
them. UK action in the regimes involves close co-ordination with
EU and Western Group partners.
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