bogged down in an endless debate on a work programme or on verification prerequisites while the central issue of negotiating a treaty on a nuclear test ban remains unresolved. In view of the fact that the Committee will function for a short period this year, the Group is of the opinion that the CD session next year should be fully utilized for attaining the goal of a comprehensive nuclear test-ban treaty. The Group of 21 is convinced that the available techniques of verification, both national and international, are already sufficient to support a comprehensive test-ban treaty, which should aim at the general and complete cessation of nuclear testing by all States in all environments for all time. The international community has recognized that questions relating to verification and compliance can only be considered in tandem with other aspects of a treaty. Paragraph 31 of the Final Document of SSOD-I states: "Disarmament and arms limitation agreements should provide for adequate measures of verification satisfactory to all parties concerned in order to create the necessary confidence and ensure that they are being observed by all parties. The form and modalities of the verification to be provided in any agreement depend upon and should be determined by the purposes, scope and nature of the agreement". The Group believes that the nuclear test-ban treaty should be non-discriminatory and comprehensive in character so as to attract universal adherence and should include a verification system that is universal in its application, non-discriminatory its in nature, and guarantees equal access to all States. CD/PV.565 11 The PRESIDENT; Thank you for your statement and for the kind words addressed to the Chair. I now give the floor to Ambassador Dietze of the German Democratic Republic. Mr. DIETZE (German Democratic Republic): The Group of Eastern European 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a specific topic related to international relations, specifically the negotiation of a treaty on a nuclear test ban. It mentions the Committee on Disarmament (CD) and the need for a comprehensive treaty that is non-discriminatory and has a universal verification system. The text also references the Final Document of SSOD-I, which suggests that the topic is related to international security and disarmament.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology