Missile Technology Control Regime
A Plenary Meeting of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) was held in Oslo 29 June – 2 July and chaired by Norway. Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland, the new members of the Regime, attended for the first time. This multilateral non-proliferation regime thus comprises the following 22 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America.
Partners agreed that the MTCR Guidelines for Sensitive Missile-relevant Transfers of 16 April 1987 remain an essential mechanism for preventing proliferation of missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
In view of the Partners’ concern about the use of missiles to deliver all kinds of weapons of mass destruction, the member countries agreed to amend the Guidelines to extend the scope of the Regime to missiles capable of delivering biological and chemical as well as nuclear weapons.
The Partners took note with satisfaction of the decision of a growing number of countries to observe the MTCR Guidelines and issued a joint appeal to all states to do likewise. The text of the appeal is annexed.
The next Plenary will be held in Canberra 8 – 11 March 1993.
Joint Appeal
Participating countries in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America – appeal to all states to adopt the Guidelines for Sensitive Missile-relevant Transfers. The Partners welcome that a growing number of countries have indicated to them or in national statements their commitment to observe the Guidelines. Observance by as many states as possible of export control measures in accordance with these Guidelines will contribute to limiting the risks of proliferation of delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction and to fostering international security.
Oslo, 2 July 1992