entire class of mass destruction weapons has been in force for 15 years. If the convention were strengthened by verification measures, this would surely have a major effect in terms of confidence-building. This is what we expect the next Review Conference to do. Scientists in my country want to contribute to this goal by arranging an international colloquium on the prevention of a biological and toxin arms race, due to be held at Kuhlungsborn, German Democratic Republic, in September this year. At this time of momentous political changes, the Disarmament Conference is faced with growing demands. Alongside bilateral and regional mechanisms, it assumes an irreplaceable role with respect to multilateral negotiations. So your responsibilities are very great indeed. May the work that lies ahead of you be crowned with success. The PRESIDENT: I wish to thank His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the German Democratic Republic for his important statement and for the kind words addressed to my country and to me. Does any other delegation wish to take the floor at this stage? This does not seem to be the case. CD/PV.561 page 13 I wish to inform the Conference that Ambassador Ledogar of the United States and Minister Batsanov of the Soviet Union have jointly offered the participation of their strategic arms negotiators. Ambassador Richard Burt and Ambassador Yuri Nazarkin, in the informal CD meeting next Tuesday, 10 July. Ambassadors Burt and Nazarkin would plan to make informal remarks on various issues in the strategic arms negotiations, after which there will be a question and answer period. I am sure that the members of the Conference welcome this offer and will be very happy to listen to the remarks of both negotiators, as well as to hold a question and answer period on the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a diplomatic speech discussing the strengthening of international agreements on disarmament and arms control. It mentions the prevention of a biological and toxin arms race, verification measures, and strategic arms negotiations. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting that the topic is of high-level international importance.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology