MTCR Partners

As with all MTCR decisions, the decision to admit a new partner is taken by consensus. In making membership decisions, partners tend to consider whether a prospective new member would strengthen international non proliferation efforts, demonstrates a sustained and sustainable commitment to non proliferation, has a legally based effective export control system that puts into effect the MTCR Guidelines and procedures, and administers and enforces such controls effectively. The Regime’s dialogue with prospective partners is conducted through the MTCR Chair, visits to capitals by teams comprised of representatives of four MTCR partners and bilateral exchanges. The group does not have an observer category.

MTCR partners hold an annual Plenary Meeting chaired on a rotational basis (see below for a list of MTCR Plenaries). The Plenary host becomes the Chair of the MTCR for the period extending to the next Plenary. Technical Experts Meetings, Information Exchanges and Enforcement Expert Meetings are held on an ad hoc basis. The MTCR has no secretariat. Distribution of the Regime’s working papers is carried out through a Point of Contact (POC), the functions of which are performed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. Intersessional consultations also take place monthly through POC meetings in Paris, occasionally reinforced with capitals-based officials.