VIENNA, JUNE 3 – “The universalization of the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation remains a fundamental objective”, the Italian Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna Maria Assunta Accili said during the Eighteenth Annual Regular Meeting of the Subscribing States to the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC).
The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) is the result of efforts of the international community to internationally regulate the area of ballistic missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction. The HCOC is the only multilateral transparency and confidence building instrument concerning the spread of ballistic missiles. “We fully share the goals and transparency measures of the HCoC, aimed to build trust and confidence through pre-launch notifications and annual declarations on space launch vehicle and ballistic missile policies”, Accili said.
By subscribing to the HCoC, members voluntarily commit themselves politically to provide pre-launch notifications (PLNs) on ballistic missile and space-launch vehicle launches (SLVs) and test flights. Subscribing States also commit themselves to submit an annual declaration (AD) of their country’s policies on ballistic missiles and space-launch vehicles. Since the signing and entering into force of the politically-binding HCOC in November 2002 in The Hague (Netherlands) the number of signatories has increased from 93 to 140. (@OnuItalia)
