Beckett welcomes UN arms trade treaty

The foreign secretary has applauded a UN vote in favour of drawing up an international arms trade treaty.

Margaret Beckett said the move was an "important first step in the right direction".

The UK "has been leading calls" for such a treaty "to end the irresponsible trade in arms worldwide," she said.

"We believe that such a treaty should be legally binding, cover the trade in all conventional arms, set clear standards for when an arms transfer should not take place, including respect for human rights, and have an effective monitoring and enforcement mechanism," she added.

"Since declaring our support for the treaty, we have worked with many other countries to take the initiative forward."

The decision by the UN general assembly's first committee on Thursday to support the resolution was by a large majority - 139 votes for, with 24 abstentions.

Beckett said: "I also pay tribute to the many non-governmental organisations and individuals, throughout the world, who have done so much to put this issue on the international agenda.

"We have always said this is an ambitious idea and it will mean much hard work in the next few years.

"It will also mean keeping other countries on board as discussions move ahead, including those countries who still harbour doubts about the initiative.

"Ultimately our aim is a treaty with broad support and participation by all the major arms exporters.

"The British government will remain committed to securing this treaty because we believe it will make a meaningful difference to those millions of people who suffer from the consequences of irresponsible arms trading."