Press Release M-NAC- 2(2000)121 Report on Options for Confidence and Security Building Measures (CSBMs), Verification, Non-Prolife- ration, Arms Control and Disarmament December 2000

3. Developments over the Last Decade in the Conventional Arms Control and Disarmament Field 3.3. Open Skies Another important element in creating greater openness in the military field is the March 1992 "Open Skies" Treaty, permitting overflights of national territory on a reciprocal basis. The Treaty on Open Skies is intended to enhance confidence building, facilitate the monitoring of compliance with existing or future arms control agreements, and strengthen the capacity for the early recognition and subsequent management of crises by permitting reciprocal overflights of national territory. A number of trial flights have taken place over the last eight years, but the complete regime of observation flights as set forth in the Treaty has not yet entered into force. Allies continue to support ratification of this Treaty, and urge the remaining non-ratifying signatories, Russia and Belarus, to ratify so that the Treaty can enter into force as soon as possible.