New START treaty takes effect as U.S., Russia exchange ratification papers

02-06-2011 09:15 BJT

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The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the United States and Russia has taken effect. The pact limits the number of atomic warheads the two countries can possess, and allows them to inspect each other's arsenals.

The 10-year treaty was sealed when US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton exchanged documents with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

Hillary Clinton said, "Today we exchanged the instruments of ratification for a treaty that lessens the nuclear dangers facing the Russian and American people and the world...Our two countries led by our two presidents turned words into action to reach a milestone in our strategic partnership."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his US counterpart Barack Obama signed the deal last April after a year of tough negotiations. It requires the world's top two nuclear powers to gradually reduce their atomic arsenals.

Sergei Lavrov said, "I'd like to reiterate that the treaty is in the interests of both Russia and the United States. It promotes a nuclear non-proliferation regime and multilateral disarmament."