European Union (EU) foreign ministers on Monday expressed support for a binding international arms trade treaty to curb the proliferation of conventional arms.

"It (the council of ministers) expresses its firm belief that a comprehensive, binding agreement would be a major contribution to tackling the undesirable and irresponsible proliferation of conventional arms which undermines peace, security, sustainable development and full respect for human rights," said the ministers in a statement.

The ministers underlined the importance of cooperation with other states and regional organizations in the process of elaborating such a treaty.

They welcomed the start of practical work toward the elaboration of such a treaty, noting that a large number of states have so far contributed to it.

"The European Union experience with its own export control system demonstrates the feasibility of an agreement without depriving states of their national prerogative to license or deny individual exports, and confirms the effectiveness and efficiency of a multilateral export control mechanism," said the statement.

Source: Xinhua