Mr. KAREM (Egypt): On behalf of Ambassador Elaraby, I would like to make the following statement: "I have asked for the floor to make a statement on behalf of the Group of 21, but since this is the first time I take the floor during this month, allow me to express my heartfelt congratulations to you for CD/PV.567 10 (Mr. Karem, Egypt) assuming the presidency during the month of July. I am confident, Mr. President, that under your able and experienced leadership the work of the Conference on Disarmament is in good hands. At the same time, I would like to express to Ambassador de Rivero of Peru and to the delegation of Peru our sincere appreciation for providing able leadership during the month of June. Now I would like to make a statement on behalf of the Group of 21 and the statement reads as follows: 'The Group of 21 takes note of the bilateral agreement between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on destruction and non-production of chemical weapons and on measures to facilitate the multilateral convention on bannina chemical weapons signed on 1 June 1990. It considers the decision by the USSR and the United States of America to halt the production of chemical weapons and to start the destruction of their declared chemical weapons stockpiles to be an important and positive step. The Group hopes that this agreement will enter into force in the near future. However, the Group of 21 regrets the proposed revisions to the present draft convention as contained in CD/CW/WP.303, which will have negative effects because they inter alia put conditions and postpone the decision for the total elimination of chemical weapons, give rights to States based on the possession of chemical weapons and create a situation 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a statement made by a representative of the Group of 21 at a Conference on Disarmament, discussing a bilateral agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union regarding the destruction and non-production of chemical weapons. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating a focus on international relations and disarmament. The content does not seem to be related to economic development, natural resources, agriculture, industry, transport, communication, international trade, health, education, employment, humanitarian aid, or culture.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology