(c) The establishmenL of nuclear-weapon-free zones. one way of lessening therisk of nuclear war is to limit as much as possible the area of deployment ofnuclear lteapons. rn this spirit, Romania is trying to create in the Balkans a zoneof peace, co-operation and good neighbourliness, free of nuclear weapons andforeign military basesr aDd supporls proposals for ghe establishmeng of similarzones in the north and centre of Europe, as well as in olher regions of lhe world.rn Romaniars view, encouraging action by states to create nuclear-weapon-free zonesshould become a major concern of Ehe United Nations in its efforts to prevent anuclear conflict. At the same time, it is obvious that, no matter what the staleof international relations, and despite the progress being made as a result ofnegotiations on disarmamenL problems, mankinA witt continue to be confronted withthe spectre of nuclear conflict and total destruction as long as there are nuclearweaPons in Ehe world. That is why Ronania believes that, along with efforts tonegotiate and inplement substantial nuclear disarmament agreements, practical andeffective measures must also be adopted that. can help reduce and avert the threatof a nuclear conflict. Chief among such measures could be the following; (i) Non-first use of nuclear weapons. The unilateral declarations by Chinaand the Soviet Union, in which Lhey undertook not to be the first to usenuclear weapons, have been welcomed as a significant contribution toefforts to reduce and ward off the threat of nuclear rdar. There can beno doubt t.hat a similar undertaking on the part of the othernuclear-weapon States would have a positive effect on the internationalpolitical climate and on disarmanent negotiations. The conference onDisarmament at Geneva, in which all nuclear-vreapon States participate,has a particular role and responsibiity in the attainment, of thisobj ect ive .A/ 40/ 498 English Page 67 (ii) Prohibition of the use of nuclear weapons. The conclusion of aninternational convent.ion on the prohibition of Ehe use of nuclear vreapons and of force in general, as a first step towards elimination of such weapons from State arsenals, would be of great inportance in reducing therisk of nuclear conflict,. A positive step in that direction would be the updatinE of the Declaration adopted by Ehe General Assembly in 1961, which termed the use of nuclear weapons a crime against mankind, toreflect the clear and firm commitment of nuclear-weapon States not to resort. under any circumstance to the use of nuclear weapons or to forcein general. Such a step would demonstrate the resolve of States to co-operate effectivel.y to promoEe t,he goal of disarmament in pracEice and thereby reduce and eliminate the threat of nuclear war. (iii) The assurance of security guarantees to non-nuclear-weapon States. The conclusion of an internat,ional convention giving non-nuclear-ereapon
**Analysis**
This text appears to be focused on international relations, disarmament, and security issues, rather than any specific economic or social development topic. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that it may be a statement or proposal from a government or international organization.

**Category**
International relations, Security