Brussels, 09/07/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 8 July, MEPs restated their request to member states to sign and ratify the Oslo Convention banning the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. In a joint resolution adopted by 558 votes for, 30 against and 24 abstentions, they call on member states to sign and ratify the convention, which is due to take effect on 1 August, “as a matter of urgency before the end of 2010”. Ratification by the 27 EU member states would be a powerful political signal in support of the fight towards a world without cluster munitions, and a move towards attaining EU's objectives to combat proliferation, MEPs say. They also took a stance in favour or EU access to the convention. At present, seven EU member states (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden) have not yet ratified it. Turkey is also among the countries that have not signed the convention. (A.By./transl.jl)