Acquisition by states of legitimate defence means, ‘inalienable right’- Diplomat

Morocco’s Ambassador to the UN, Mohamed Loulichki said, on Monday in New York, that it is an inalienable right for states to acquire legitimate defense means and preserve their territorial integrity.

Speaking before the conference on the UN Arms Trade Treaty, Loulichki stressed the need for the future Treaty to be efficient and applicable as well as negotiated according to an inclusive and transparent approach.

The new Treaty should be geared to reinforcing the exports monitoring system and help harmonize the legal and institutional mechanisms, he said.

Morocco also deems it necessary for the new document not to lay obstacles to technical cooperation and transfer of technology.

Loulichki also said that the absence of regulations governing international transfers of arms creates space for illegal trafficking, armed violence and organized crime.

In regulating arms trade, the ATT will contribute to curbing serious human rights violations, said the Moroccan diplomat.