Arms control and the fight against the indiscriminate and disproportionate us...

Arms control and the fight against the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of weapons constitute an important pillar of international humanitarian law. The Arms Trade Treaty (resolution 67/234 B), which was adopted by the General Assembly, will be a significant contribution to the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. All EU member States have already signed the Treaty, and ratifications are under way. We believe that, by ensuring that conventional arms are traded in a responsible way, the Arms Trade Treaty can reduce gender-based violence and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children around the world. The EU encourages all States Members of the United Nations to sign the Treaty and will actively support its early entry into force and proper implementation.