A/RES/52/38 Page 15 Appreciating the entry into force of the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms,32 to which Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the United States of America are parties, and looking forward to the early entry into force of the Treaty on Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms,33 which was ratified by the United States of America, Welcoming the reductions in the nuclear arsenals of other nuclear-weapon States, Welcoming the removal of all nuclear weapons of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from the territories of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, Welcoming the joint statement issued by the Presidents of the Russian Federation and the United States of America at Helsinki on 21 March 1997,34 which set forth the common understanding that, once the Treaty on Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms enters into force, these two States will immediately begin negotiations on a START III agreement, Welcoming the decision of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to extend the Treaty indefinitely,35 taken without a vote, as well as the decisions on strengthening the review process for the Treaty36 and on the principles and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament,37 Noting the reference in the decision on the principles and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament 37 to the importance of the following measures for the full realization and effective implementation of article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,5 including the programme of action as reflected below: (a) The completion by the Conference on Disarmament of the negotiations on a universal and internationally and effectively verifiable comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty no later than 1996, and utmost restraint that should be exercised by the nuclear-weapon States pending the entry into force of that treaty; (b) The immediate commencement and early conclusion of negotiations on a non-discriminatory and universally applicable convention banning the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in accordance with the statement of the Special Coordinator of the Conference on Disarmament and the mandate contained therein; (c) The determined pursuit by the nuclear-weapon States of systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of eliminating those weapons, and by all States of general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control, 32 The United Nations Disarmament Yearbook, vol. 16: 1991 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.92.IX.1), appendix II. 33 Ibid., vol. 18: 1993 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.IX.1), appendix II. 34 See CD/1460. 35 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Final Document, Part I (NPT/CONF.1995/32 (Part I)), annex, decision 3. 36 Ibid., decision 1. 37 Ibid., decision 2. /...