Description
Multinational technical means (MTM) is sometimes used to refer to internationally owned and operated instruments employed in the monitoring of multilateral treaties. The information from such systems is available to all parties, as well as the verification organization that manages the system and its technology. An example is the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the CTBTO. One of the advantages of MTM is that they encourage close cooperation between the parties. In addition, MTM are non-discriminatory—all parties may participate and all information derived from the system is available to all parties. Such systems may also provide parties with access to and familiarity with technology that would not otherwise be available to them. (Handbook, p. 22)
All internationally-owned instruments employed in the monitoring of treaty-related obligations. Typically multinational technical means (MTMs) are employed by an international institution charged with verifying treaty implementation as part of the application of cooperative measures. Currently MTMs are used under the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty and by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and will also constitute part of the International Monitoring System (IMS) which is scheduled to become operational after the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). (Lexicon, p. 217-218)