Committee should enter into substantive discussions on ways and means of preventing an arms race in outer space by elaborating on the existing proposals and future initiatives, with a view to arriving at concrete recommendations. The procedural wrangle that delays our work every year should not be allowed to continue. Canada has always played a most constructive role on outer space matters, and my delegation would like to assure Ambassador Shannon of Canada, Chairman of the Ad hoe Committee on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, of our full co-operation and wish him success in his endeavours. The PRESIDENT: I thank the representative of Egypt, Ambassador Elaraby, for his important statement and for the kind words he addressed to me personally. I now give the floor to the representative of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Lildeking. Mr, LUDEKING (Federal Republic of Germany): Mr. President, let me first of all congratulate you on taking up the presidency for the month of April. My delegation is satisfied to see you in the Chair presiding over the Conference during this month. At the same time, I wish to express my delegation's gratitude to your predecessor, Ambassador Azikiwe of Nigeria, for the effective way in which he conducted the work of the Conference during the month of March. The issue of verification of compliance is of crucial importance in our negotiations on a comprehensive global convention banning chemical weapons. And we knew from the outset that this issue would be one of the most difficult to resolve. Following intensive negotiations over the past years, a coherent verification system has been elaborated designed to reliably assure all States parties that the provisions of the convention are being complied with. This well-developed system consists of three basic elements: verification of 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international relations and diplomacy, specifically the prevention of an arms race in outer space. The language used is formal and official, suggesting that it may be a statement or speech made by a representative of a country at an international conference. The text also mentions the work of a committee and the presidency of a conference, further supporting this hypothesis.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology