France is working for the creation of an international treaty on trade in conventional arms within the framework of the United Nations, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Jean Baptiste Mattei declared during a press briefing.

"While expressing its views to the UN secretary general, France underlined that the main objective of putting in place such a treaty will be to lead countries to more responsible, transparent and proportional with regard to the transfer of conventional arms, " said the spokesman during a press briefing.

In order for the treaty to be effective, France believes that it should have a "universal" appeal and be adopted by as many countries as possible, and in particular by major arms importers and exporters.

According to France, the treaty should promote the adoption of national control systems for exports which comply with the existing international standards and provide for the implementation of measures set by the United Nations' Security Council. The treaty should also help in limiting the supply of arms and ammunition in conflict zones, upholding human rights and preserving peace, enhancing security and regional stability, preventing diversions, improving the management of arms stocks which are likely to have destabilizing effects as well as destroying stocks deemed to exceed defense needs, he said.

The United Nations General Assembly in December 2007 adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of a treaty on common international standards for the importation, exportation and transfer of conventional arms. The organization's secretary general was charged with the task of collecting views from member states and presenting a report on the same to the general assembly this year.

Source: Xinhua