'No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space' Pakistan, Russia sign joint statement

Pakistan and Russia signed a joint statement on 'No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space' and also urged space-faring nations to follow their example. The joint statement was signed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Wednesday, the Foreign Office said.
It stated that outer space is being used by an increasing number of states and Pakistan has been consistently highlighting the risks of weaponisation of outer space, which threatens the long term sustainability of peaceful space activities.
It stated that the use of force against space-based objects, the development and deployment of anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems and their integration into space assets have added worrying dimensions to the issues relating to outer space.
"There is an urgent need to address gaps in the international legal regime governing the exploration and use of outer space with a view to ensuring that no one threatens peaceful activities and applications of space technologies for socio-economic development," it emphasised.
It noted that Pakistan and Russia share a common position on the prevention of arms race in outer space and work collectively in various international fora towards that goal.
"The signing of today's Joint Statement on No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space is a reflection of convergence of views between the two sides," the Foreign Office noted.
It further stated that Pakistan and Russia have reiterated their commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force in the outer space activities. "We encourage other responsible space-faring nations to follow this example," it added.
In the joint statement, signed by the two foreign ministers, the two sides noted the significance of the outer space activities as an important factor of social, economic, scientific and technological development of states as well as their role in maintaining national and global security.
The two sides believe that outer space should be used in compliance with the international law for the benefit of all nations, regardless of the level of their economic, scientific or technological development.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to the principle enshrined in the Article 2 of the United Nations Charter - to refrain in international relations from the threat or use of force, including in the outer space activities - and proceed from the assumption that all states will strictly adhere to that policy.
Both the countries emphasised that the achievement of an international treaty preventing the arms race in outer space as well as banning the placement or use of weapons therein is a priority for the international community.
The two sides declared that they will not in any way be the first to place weapons of any kind in outer space, that they will make all possible efforts to prevent outer space from becoming an arena for military confrontation and to ensure security in Outer Space activities. The Russian Federation and Pakistan called upon space-faring nations to follow their example.