LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) on Monday endorsed support for a world treaty on arms trade and asked for international participation in the initiative.

    "The council (of foreign ministers) acknowledged the growing support, in all parts of the world, for an international treaty to establish common standards for the global trade in conventional arms," the council said in a statement.

    It also encouraged all states, regional organizations and multilateral institutions to join the growing international consensus for action in this area, the statement added.

    The council noted that binding standards are critical in tackling weapons proliferation which undermines peace, security and development.

    The council asked the United Nations to start a formal process as soon as possible, saying the UN was the only forum that could deliver a truly universal instrument.

    It also pledged "an active role" of the EU in this process.

    The EU foreign ministers are in Luxembourg attending a meeting on general affairs and external relations. Their primary task was to find a solution to a standoff between Austria and Turkey on the opening of the latter's EU membership talks.

    Austria sticks to its demand that talks with Ankara would lead to a "privileged partnership" instead of full membership, an offer flatly rejected by Turkey.

    The ministers are also expected to evaluate Croatia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia. Full cooperation with the court was set as a condition for membership talks.

    The meeting will also touch Iran's nuclear issue, and the Middle East peace process after Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and part of the West Bank.

    The ministers are also expected to weigh sanctions against Uzbekistan for its refusal to investigate last May's suppression of an uprising in the eastern city of Andijan. Enditem