The Norwegian Government is encouraged by the successful outcome of the third Review Conference. The Final Declaration adopted by consensus served to strengthen the non-proliferation regime. It also underlines the important function of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear weapons (NPT) in halting the spreading of nuclear weapons. The nuclear test ban issue remains an important -perhaps the most important - question on the international arms-control agenda. The Conference on Disarmament should intensify its efforts in that respect. The Conference did useful work in the field of verification and compliance regarding a nuclear test ban in 1982 and 1983. The Conference should, therefore, resume its work now on specific issues, including the questions of scope, verification and compliance. These three problems need to be solved before further headway can be made towards the conclusion of a test-ban treaty. NR/plj A/C.l/40/PV.S 17 (Mr. Froysnes, Norway) Norway, together with nine other Western countries, submitted a specific programme of work for a subsidiary body on a nuclear-test ban in the Conference on Disarmament in July this year. This programme of work offers the possibility of an in-depth examination of the three problem areas. Because of the significance of these three issues, I should like to make the following brief observations. First, a test ban must be comprehensive. Thus it must prohibit both nuclear-weapon tests and so-called nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes. It would be impossible in practice to work out an arrangement for conducting nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes that would preclude acquisition of military benefits. Secondly, the ban should be applicable to all States in all environments on a permanent basis. Norway welcomes, in this regard, the stated willingness of China to participate in an ad hoc committee on a nuclear-test ban in the Conference on 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing international relations and disarmament, specifically the topic of nuclear testing and the efforts to establish a comprehensive ban. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating that the text is a speech or statement from a government representative. The content focuses on the international community's efforts to strengthen the non-proliferation regime and the importance of a nuclear test ban treaty.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology