Bulgaria joins in international condemnation of North Korean nuclear test
Bulgaria strongly condemns the third nuclear test carried out by North Korea, which is leading to an even more acute increase in tension in the region and to further isolation of the country, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vessela Tcherneva said on February 12 2013.
The nuclear test was an ostentatious violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2087 and the Safeguards Agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Tcherneva. The provocative act seriously undermined the efforts of the international community to achieve genuine and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, she said.
Bulgaria strongly urged abandon its nuclear programme in a transparent and verifiable manner, to comply fully with its international commitments and to direct its efforts towards active dialogue and negotiations with the international community to achieve lasting peace and security in the region of North East Asia, Tcherneva said.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on February 12 that the EU “condemns in the strongest possible terms” the latest North Korean nuclear test.
It was, Ashton said, “one more step in a long-running programme to develop a nuclear weapon capability”
The EU urges North Korea to refrain from further provocative actions, Ashton said.
“This nuclear test is a further blatant challenge to the global non-proliferation regime and an outright violation of the DPRK’s international obligations not to produce or test nuclear weapons, in particular under UN Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874 and 2087,” Ashton said.
“As such, it constitutes a serious threat to a lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula and to both regional and international security and stability in North-East Asia. UNSC Resolution 2087 adopted unanimously last month further clarifies the international community’s determination to take significant action in the event of a nuclear test, which would lead the DPRK towards further isolation.”
Ashton said that the EU remains “seized of the matter” and would work with key partners and the wider international community to build a firm and unified response aiming at demonstrating to the DPRK that there are consequences for its continued violations of UNSC Resolutions. We once again urge the DPRK to abandon its nuclear weapons programme, including its uranium enrichment programme, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
The EU strongly urges the DPRK to engage in a dialogue with the international community, including in the framework of the Six-Party Talks which would be conducive to regional stability.
A spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that Ban “condemns the underground nuclear weapon test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK.
“It is a clear and grave violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions,” Ban’s spokesperson said.
“It is deplorable that Pyongyang defied the strong and unequivocal call from the international community to refrain from any further provocative measures. The Secretary-General had repeatedly called on the new leadership in Pyongyang to address international concerns and start building confidence with neighbouring countries and the international community.”
Ban was “gravely concerned” about the negative impact of this deeply destabilizing act on regional stability as well as the global efforts for nuclear non-proliferation. He once again urges the DPRK to reverse course and work towards de-nuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
“The Secretary-General is confident that the Security Council will remain united and take appropriate action. In the meantime, the Secretary-General remains in close contact with all concerned parties and stands ready to assist their efforts.”
China’s foreign ministry said that North Korea’s conduct of another nuclear test was “in disregard of the common opposition of the international community”.
“The Chinese Government is firmly opposed to this act.”
“To bring about denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, prevent nuclear proliferation and safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia is the firm stand of the Chinese side. We strongly urge the DPRK to honor its commitment to denuclearization and refrain from any move that may further worsen the situation,” the Chinese foreign ministry said.
“To safeguard peace and stability on the Peninsula and in Northeast Asia serves the common interests of all parties. The Chinese Government calls on all parties to respond in a cool-headed manner and persist in resolving the issue of denuclearization of the Peninsula through dialogue and consultation within the context of the Six-Party Talks.”
Moscow has condemned North Korea’s nuclear test saying Pyongyang’s behaviour amounted to a blatant violation of the UN Security Council’s provisions, a source in the Russian foreign ministry told reporters, according to a report by the Voice of Russia.
“We strongly disapprove of North Korea who blatantly ignored the demands of the UN Security Council and international community,” the source said.
