Check against delivery

Mr. President

Let me begin with congratulating you on your appointment as President of this third review conference of the CCW (Convention on Certain Conventional weapons) . You can be assured of my delegation’s full support over the next two weeks in order to achieve the aims and objectives of this conference.

The main issues to be considered and concluded at this Review Conference are related to Explosive Remnants of War and Mines Other Than Anti-Personnel Mines. This delegation maintains the view that legally binding instruments in those two areas are absolutely necessary in order to reduce the humanitarian suffering of the civilian population during and after armed conflict. We have discussed these two issues for four years. It is now time conclude.

The Norwegian delegation is indeed pleased to note the imminent entry into force of the Protocol on Explosive Remnants of War. My country is committed to Protocol V and its full implementation. We note, however, that only 24 or 25 states have ratified so far, and we call upon all states that have not done so, to sign and ratify this important protocol as soon as possible. We support the focus on entry into force on Monday and further initiatives with regard to the universalisation of the protocol.

Mr. President,

To address the humanitarian problem caused by cluster munitions through an international process is urgently needed. It is clearly recogninized by an increasing number of states that cluster munitions have indiscriminate effects and leave an unacceptably high number of explosive remnants of war. We thank civil society for their efforts to highlight and document the humanitarian suffering caused by cluster munitions, and we will continue to build on this partnership.

Cluster munitions also pose an unacceptable risk to the civilian population during and after hostilities. We refer to substantive documentation by NGOs, military experts and our own observations of inter alia the situation in Lebanon. An international instrument on cluster munitions is urgently required. We believe that a future instrument should be developed to address the humanitarian effect of cluster weapons. It`s main objective should be to provide a framwork for real improvement of the humanitarian situation through clear obligations related to it’s implementation. Norway is committed to pursue this issue.

Mr President,

Mines Other Than Anti-Personnel Mines also cause humanitarian concerns. We must reduce the humanitarian suffering during and after armed conflict, and improve conditions for the civilian population and for humanitarian deminers. To make a real difference, an instrument on MOTAPM must provide protection and improvements well beyond the standards of Amended Protocol II. Consequently, we place great emphasis on including the important elements of detectability and active life as part of a legally binding new protocol to the Convention. In our opinion these two elements, together with provisions on transfers, form the basic pillars of a protocol.

This delegation will therefore only support a protocol on MOTAPM that include legally binding provisions on detectability and active life.

Mr. President,

We welcome further initiatives for universalisation of the CCW convention and its Protocols. Increased participation would enhance the credibility of the CCW regime. We also welcome and support a mechansim to strengthen compliance with the Convention.

In concluding, Mr. President, let me reiterate that the Norwegian delegation stands ready to work constructively under your leadership - towards a successful Review Conference.

Thank you Mr. President