France Signed the NPT

On this date, France finally signed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. This was a major development as prior to this France had refused to become a party to the NPT based both from a principle of equity and because of its desire to maintain an independent foreign policy. This is despite France stating that:

France for its part (…) will behave in the future in this field exactly as the States complying with the Treaty. There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind on that score.

For considerations around France's decision to sign the NPT at this point, see this article.