– The respect for the legitimate interests of States to acquire conventional arms
to exercise their right to self-defence and for peacekeeping operations; and to
produce, export, import and transfer conventional arms;
– Implementing this Treaty in a consistent, objective and non-discriminatory
manner,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Object and Purpose
The object of this Treaty is to:
– Establish the highest possible common international standards for regulating or
improving the regulation of the international trade in conventional arms;
– Prevent and eradicate the illicit trade in conventional arms and prevent their
diversion;
for the purpose of:
– Contributing to international and regional peace, security and stability;
– Reducing human suffering;
– Promoting cooperation, transparency and responsible action by States Parties
in the international trade in conventional arms, thereby building confidence
among States Parties.
Article 2
Scope
1.
This Treaty shall apply to all conventional arms within the following
categories:
(a)
Battle tanks;
(b)
Armoured combat vehicles;
(c)
Large-calibre artillery systems;
(d)
Combat aircraft;
(e)
Attack helicopters;
(f)
Warships;
(g)
Missiles and missile launchers; and
(h)
Small arms and light weapons.
2.
For the purposes of this Treaty, the activities of the international trade
comprise export, import, transit, trans-shipment and brokering, hereafter referred to
as “transfer”.
3.
This Treaty shall not apply to the international movement of conventional arms
by, or on behalf of, a State Party for its use provided that the conventional arms
remain under that State Party’s ownership.
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