As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and as a nuclear-weapon state as defined in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), France has a special responsibility for maintaining and strengthening international peace and security.

France’s actions on non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament reflect this twofold responsibility, and are guided by certain unchanging principles:

 working towards a safer world;
 developing friendly relations between States;
 forestalling threats to peace;
 respecting the right of legitimate self-defence;
 opting out of the arms race;
 moving towards general and complete disarmament.

France pursues its aim by means of multilateral approaches, normative regimes and, where necessary, informal initiatives.

France supports the international organisations responsible for establishing international verification mechanisms, and plays a part in confidence and security building measures designed to ensure stability and transparency within the international community.

Finally, France is constantly alert to any changes to the international security situation and to the strategic context, to which it responds by seeking the widest possible international solidarity.

^{Updated : 02.13}