Latvia, along with the United States and several other countries, has called for the practice of mandatory advance notification of test launches of ballistic missiles. The joint statement, initiated by the United States, has been supported by over 40 countries, including most NATO member states, as well as Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Ukraine. The authors of the document propose to provide warnings of upcoming tests at least 24 hours in advance. This pertains to launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, as well as spacecraft. The initiative is based on existing international mechanisms, including the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, which calls for advance notification of such launches. The statement was prompted by a recent test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Pacific region. The document notes that the launch was conducted without prior notification, which contradicts the practice adhered to by many states. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that the lack of timely warning can lead to misinterpretation of events and create security threats. In conditions of high international tension, such incidents increase the risk of misunderstandings and can complicate the overall situation. In fact, the initiative does not introduce new international rules but calls on all states—especially those possessing nuclear weapons—to adhere to already existing transparency measures and make them a common practice. A total of 41 states have joined the joint statement, including the United States, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine.
