A/RES/53/77 Page 2 Convinced that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones can contribute to the achievement of general and complete disarmament, Emphasizing the importance of internationally recognized agreements on the establishment of nuclearweapon-free zones in various regions of the world and on the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime, Considering that the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia,4 on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States within the region and taking into account the special characteristics of the region, can enhance the security of the States involved and strengthen global and regional security and peace, Recalling the Almaty Declaration of the heads of State of the Central Asian States of 28 February 19975 on the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, and the statement issued at Tashkent on 15 September 1997 by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia,6 Welcoming the Communiqué of the Consultative Meeting of Experts of the Central Asian Countries, the Nuclear-Weapon States and the United Nations held at Bishkek on 9 and 10 July 1998,7 with a view to elaborating acceptable ways and means for the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, Reaffirming the generally recognized role of the United Nations in the establishment of nuclearweapon-free zones, 1. Calls upon all States to support the initiative aimed at the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia; 2. Commends the first concrete steps taken by the States of the region in preparing the legal groundwork for their initiative; 3. Encourages the five Central Asian States to continue their dialogue with the five nuclear-weapon States on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia; 4. Requests the Secretary-General, within existing resources, to provide assistance to the Central Asian States in the preparation of the form and elements of an agreement on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia; 4 Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. 5 A/52/112, annex. 6 A/52/390, annex. 7 A/53/183, annex. /...