§ Mr. ParryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in the Ukraine and its commitment to accede to the non-proliferation treaty.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe welcomed the decision adopted by the Ukrainian Parliament on 3 February to ratify the strategic arms reduction talks treaty. We also welcomed the Parliament's decision to withdraw its reservation to article V of the Lisbon protocol of the START treaty, under which Ukraine undertakes to accede to the non-proliferation treaty in the shortest possible time. We have noted the affirmations by the Ukrainian President of Ukraine's intention to accede to the treaty, and we shall continue to urge her to do so at the earliest possible date.