1. In November–December of last year, and indeed also today, we had a very useful debate on the crime of aggression. Delegations were able to further clarify their positions, and to address the compilation of proposals prepared by the Secretariat, as well as the consolidated text produced under your guidance. In this context, we are especially grateful to the delegation of Colombia for the proposal that was just introduced. Inevitably, the consolidated text contains several options, variations and square brackets. At the same time, it gives us a solid and concrete basis for our work, in the form of a rolling document that can be refined and simplified following the progress in our discussions. We look forward to an equally fruitful outcome of the present session, and we are encouraged by the constructive atmosphere that has prevailed in our Working Group.

2. The first problem that we are facing now is the method of work. Where do we go from here, and how should we proceed? Needless to say, Mr. Chairman, we fully rely on your leadership and advice. In any event, we think it may be useful to indicate some of the possible alternatives. An ambitious goal for the next three weeks would be to reduce, to the extent possible, the options, variations and square brackets in the text. More realistically, we should aim at preparing grounds for shortening and further consolidating the text by the end of the June session.