I welcome the entry into force of the new START Treaty between the Russian Federation and the United States. Bringing the Treaty into operation fulfils one of the commitments agreed to at the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

I applaud President Medvedev and President Obama for their visionary leadership and dedicated efforts in advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Today's welcome development adds significant impetus to the hard-won momentum achieved in recent years. Coming at an opportune moment, I believe that entry into force of the new START Treaty will inspire further action towards creating a safer and more secure world for all. It will also help create favourable conditions for important events in the coming years, including the 2012 Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction as well as the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit.

I encourage the Russian Federation and the United States to continue their efforts to identify and carry forward the next steps, together with other nuclear-weapon States, in this historic endeavour of pursuing a nuclear-weapon-free world. I reaffirm my full commitment towards achieving this important goal.