Missile Technology Control Regime
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) met in plenary session in Interlaken, Switzerland from 29 November – 02 December to address the challenges of ballistic missile proliferation in the post-Cold War era. Partner countries also welcomed Argentina and Hungary as new members, bringing to 25 the number of members.
The MTCR was founded in 1987 with the purpose of controlling exports of systems and technology that could contribute to the proliferation of missile capable of delivering nuclear weapons.
In Oslo in 1992 the Regime expanded its guidelines to embrace missiles capable of delivering chemical and biological weapons.
The Interlaken meeting was devoted to planning the future of the regime. Partners agreed to build on their achievements in controlling the export of their missile-related technologies by giving emphasis to dealing directly with the critical missile proliferation threat emanating from those outside the regime.
Efforts will be redoubled to persuade potential exporters outside the regime to abide by the MTCR guidelines. In addition, MTCR countries will take steps to encourage proliferating countries to act more responsibly.
At the same time, partners were pleased to note an increase in the number of countries outside the regime that have declared their intention to observe the MTCR guidelines. Partners appeal to all other states to do likewise.
The next Plenary meeting of the Regime will be convened in Sweden from the 3.10.94 – 6.10.94.
The following countries are members of the MTCR:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, 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