A/RES/53/77 Page 8 Recalling also the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,22 Welcoming the decision of Mongolia to declare its territory a nuclear-weapon-free zone, Taking note with satisfaction of the separate statements made by the nuclear-weapon States in connection with Mongolia’s declaration of its territory a nuclear-weapon-free zone, Bearing in mind the Final Document of the Twelfth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Durban, South Africa, from 29 August to 3 September 1998,23 in which the Conference welcomed and supported Mongolia’s policy to institutionalize its single State nuclear-weapon-free status, Proceeding from the fact that nuclear-weapon-free status is one of the means of ensuring the national security of States, Bearing in mind its resolution 49/31 of 9 December 1994 on the protection and security of small States, Welcoming Mongolia’s active and positive role in developing peaceful, friendly and mutually beneficial relations with the States of the region and other States, Convinced that the internationally recognized status of Mongolia will contribute to enhancing stability and confidence-building in the region as well as promote Mongolia’s security by strengthening its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the inviolability of its borders and the preservation of its ecological balance, 1. Welcomes the declaration by Mongolia of its nuclear-weapon-free status; 2. Endorses and supports Mongolia’s good-neighbourly and balanced relationship with its neighbours as an important element of strengthening regional peace, security and stability; 3. Invites Member States, including the five nuclear-weapon States, to cooperate with Mongolia in taking the necessary measures to consolidate and strengthen Mongolia’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the inviolability of its borders, its economic security, its ecological balance and its nuclear-weapon-free status, as well as its independent foreign policy; 4. Appeals to the member States of the Asia and Pacific region to support Mongolia’s efforts to join the relevant regional security and economic arrangements; 22 Resolution 2625 (XXV), annex. 23 A/53/667–S/1998/1071, annex I; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-third Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1998, document S/1998/1071. /...