Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-08-Speech-2-144"
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"en.20050308.20.2-144"2
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"Mr President, the Non-proliferation Treaty is, in fact, still the cornerstone of the world non-proliferation system. It is therefore important for the European Union to preserve the integrity of every aspect of that treaty and to see to it that the treaty review conference planned for 2005 is crowned with success.
We also informed US President Bush and Condoleezza Rice of these considerations when we held talks with them in Brussels a few days ago.
The NPT review conference will have to strike a balance between the three pillars: non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. At the same time, it will have to take due account of the main issues concerning nuclear non-proliferation, in particular the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Iran and the so-called Khan network.
The Council is currently working on a common position that will make a positive contribution to the review conference.
So far as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is concerned, the European Union presidency has expressed its deep concern at the country’s announcement on 10 February 2005 that it possessed nuclear weapons. It noted with regret the DPRK’s announcement that it was suspending its participation in the multilateral talks on its nuclear programme indefinitely.
We will therefore have to bring strong pressure to bear on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to persuade it to go back as soon as possible on its decision to withdraw from the six-party talks so that negotiations can be resumed and a peaceful, negotiated solution found to the crisis affecting the Korean peninsula. We reaffirm that the European Union is resolutely in favour of the six-party talks process as a way of finding a solution to this crisis.
We must insist that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea complies with the nuclear arms non-proliferation treaty. Respect for international obligations, both on nuclear issues and in the field of human rights, is vital if the European Union is to develop bilateral relations with that country. We are also strongly encouraging the DPRK authorities to step up their dialogue and intensify their contacts with the Republic of Korea.
So far as Iran is concerned, the Paris Agreement is now being strictly applied, with the total suspension of all enrichment-related activities and all reprocessing activities without exception; this has been verified by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Negotiations on long-term arrangements began in December in the three working groups concerned with political and security questions, nuclear questions and issues of economic cooperation and technology, as well as the steering committee. The first important series of working group meetings took place in January 2005. Obviously, obtaining objective guarantees of the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme will continue to be of prime importance. Reports are being drawn up for the steering committee meeting in March, which will be an important occasion for taking stock of the issue. I would like to add that, at the same time, negotiations on the trade and cooperation agreement and on a political agreement resumed in January 2005.
Both parties are negotiating seriously, and so long as the Iranians continue to take part in the talks there will be a chance of success.
However, it is important to remain vigilant so as to ensure that, under IAEA supervision, Iran maintains a total suspension of its activities, without exception, for as long as the negotiations on long-term arrangements continue, total suspension being the condition for their continuance and completion."@en1
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