offices. I am confident that under your able guidance this Committee will make further progress in its important work. On 17 October, the representative of the Netherlands made a comprehensive statement on behalf of the 10 States of the European Community and of Portugal and Spain. My delegation shares the views he put forward and would like to add a few observatio ns to his statement. One year ago, speaking on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, I emphasized to this Committee that, precisely in a phase where East-West relations were particularly difficult, intensive efforts to achieve arms control were more necessary than ever. At that time I expressed the hope that a new comprehens ive dialogue would materialize between West and East that would serve the interests of all nations . Developments since then have justified this hope. The start of the Geneva negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union in accordance with the agreement reached on 8 January 1985 opens up new prospects for arms control. It has meant that negotiations are now taking place on more aspects of arms control than ever before and that the balance of military power in its entirety has been drawn into the arms control dialogue. According to the agreement of 8 January 1985, the objective of the Geneva negotiations is to work out effective agreements aimed at "preventing an arms race in space and terminating it on Earth and limiting and reducing nuclear arms and at strengthening strategic stability". ~/12 A/C.l/40/PV.ll 47 (Mr. Lautenschlager, Federal Republic of Germany) These are far-reaching aims we support unreservedly. We believe they make clear that, over and above specific arrangements, the goal is to achieve more permanent and stable relations between the United States and the USSR and between 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic statement discussing international relations, specifically arms control and disarmament. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating that the text is likely from a United Nations or international organization setting. The topic of arms control and disarmament suggests that the text may be related to international security or defense.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology