ANKARA

The Arms Trade Treaty, which was adopted at the UN General Assembly on April 2, 2013  following seven years of negotiations and opened to signature on June 3, 2013, was signed by Turkey.

According to a statement on Wednesday by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, an important step was taken for "a universal and legally binding mechanism that sets common standards at the highest possible level to regulate the exports, imports and transfers of conventional arms."

The statement said, "Having actively contributed to the process and co-sponsored the resolution, Turkey has on numerous occasions voiced its intention to sign the Treaty at the soonest. On 2 July 2013, Ambassador Halit Cevik, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the United Nations, has signed the Treaty on behalf of the Republic of Turkey. For a speedy entry into force and eventual universalization, we expect all states to sign the Treaty and complete their national ratification procedures as soon as possible."

englishnews@aa.com.tr