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Mr. Chairman,  Lithuania aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union on behalf of the EU and its Member States. Let me now elaborate on some matters of particular importance to Lithuania.  Lithuania reaffirms its strong attachment to multilateral approach to non-proliferation and disarmament. We regard the UNGA First Committee, the Conference on Disarmament (CD), the Disarmament Commission (UNDC), the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), and the relevant international treaties and regimes as essential mutually reinforcing elements of the UN Disarmament Machinery.

Some progress has been achieved in the CD this year; however, we are disappointed that the CD did not succeed in commencing its substantive work, including negotiations. This long-standing impasse of the CD has already seriously undermined the credibility of the Conference, since negotiations on the multilateral disarmament and arms control treaties, such as Antipersonnel Landmine Ban Treaty, Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Arms Trade Treaty, took place outside it. 

Mr. Chairman, 

The need for CD’s enlargement has been a pending issue for more than a decade and needs to be addressed without delay. This call is in line with the Rules of Procedure of the CD, which provide for the review of the membership question at regular intervals. In this regard, we welcome the decision to appoint the Friend of the CD President on the enlargement of the membership and hope this would further stimulate the discussions leading to the expansion of CD membership. 

Thank you.