Czech Republic supports CTBTO Preparatory Commission's outreach activities

In cooperation with the Czech Republic, the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) organized an information visit and hands-on training programme for representatives of Serbia and Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The project was financed with funds from a voluntary contribution to the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO by the Czech Republic in the amount of 450,000 CZK (15,000 Euro). This contribution was specifically dedicated to promote outreach activities of the Preparatory Commission in Southeast Europe and Central Asia. The aim of the project is to enhance the understanding of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), in particular the functioning of national data centres and International Monitoring System stations. The training for the two experts from Serbia and Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia took place from 17 to 20 May 2005 in Vienna, Austria, and in Brno, Czech Republic. In a meeting on 18 May 2005 with the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, Wolfgang Hoffmann, the two representatives of Serbia and Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia reiterated their countries' commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and stressed their view of the CTBT as an important instrument to promote international peace and security. The Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the Preparatory Commission for the CTBTO, Ambassador Ivan Pocuch, was also present at the meeting. On 19 and 20 May, the two representatives of Serbia and Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia visited the National Data Centre of the Czech Republic in Brno and the auxiliary seismic station AS 26 in Vranov. During their visit, they got acquainted with the activities and responsibilities of a national data centre and the installation, operation and maintenance of an auxiliary seismic station. The remaining funds from the Czech voluntary contribution will be used to organize a similar information visit and training programme for expert representatives of Central Asian countries in June 2005.

For further information on the CTBTO, please see www.ctbto.org or contact:
Annika Thunborg, Chief, Public Information  
T    +43 1 26030-6375  
E    annika.thunborg@ctbto.org
M    +43 699 1459 6375       
I    www.ctbto.org