(VOVworld) – Five of the 18 countries who ratified the UN Arms Trade Treaty (UNATT) on Wednesday - the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany - are major weapons exporters.
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| "The Knotted Gun" - a bronze sculpture located in the plaza at the entrance to the UN Building in New York. (Photo: Internet) |
According to a joint statement by 17 EU members, the ratifications show a commitment to reducing casualties caused by weapons and making the world a safer place. The statement indicated that other EU members will soon ratify the treaty.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on UN members who haven’t ratified the treaty to promptly do so to ensure that it will be realized soon. Ban also appealed to all countries and international organizations to co-operate in implementing the treaty. Thirty-one countries have signed the treaty.