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Ulviyya Poladova

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Australia, Bulgaria, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, France, the United States and 33 other countries have issued a joint statement calling on "all relevant countries" to provide advance notification of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and space launch vehicles, AzerNEWS reports.

The statement, published on the website of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, calls for notifications to be issued at least 24 hours before a launch.

The appeal is addressed to all countries, but places particular emphasis on nuclear-armed states that conduct launches of ICBMs, SLBMs and space launch vehicles.

Under the proposed notification system, countries would provide information on the general class of the ballistic missile or launch vehicle, as well as the expected launch time, launch area and direction of flight.

The countries also called for clear and timely warnings to be provided to pilots and mariners in accordance with international standards. Such notifications are intended to improve safety and reduce the risk of misunderstandings or miscalculations during missile and rocket launches.

Earlier, North Korea, according to Tokyo and Seoul, launched at least one ballistic missile - the eleventh in a row this year.