Brussels, 12/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Condemning “in the strongest possible terms” the latest nuclear test of North Korea in the morning of 12 February, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton underlined, on behalf of the EU, that “the EU remains seized of the matter and will work with key partners and the wider international community to build a firm and unified response aiming at demonstrating to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that there are consequences for its continued violations of UNSC Resolutions”. She recalled the latest resolution adopted on 22 January 2013 (see EUROPE 10772). At the time of going to press, an emergency meeting of the Security Council, which could take fresh sanctions against Pyongyang, was being held in New York.
In her press release, Ashton believed that this new test constitutes a “serious threat” for a sustainable peace on the Korean peninsula, for regional and international security and for the stability of South-East Asia. “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”, she added.
Ashton urged North Korea to refrain from any new provocation and urged it to abandon its programme of nuclear arms, including its programme of uranium enrichment, “in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner” and to engage in dialogue with the international community.
Condemnation of the international community. The German minister for foreign affairs, Guido Westerwelle, believed that new United Nations sanctions must now be envisaged and he welcomed the holding of the emergency meeting. Condemning the nuclear test, his British counterpart, William Hague, said that the United Kingdom was going to begin urgent consultations with is partners at the Security Council, calling for a swift response to this latest development. The French president, François Hollande, said that France would support firm Security Council action and was working with its partners for this. He urged North Korea immediately to comply with its international obligations.
The United States, Russia, China - permanent members of the Security Council - and also Iran condemned this new test.
North Korea has warned that this nuclear test was only a first step and threatens stronger action if sanctions are taken against it. (CG/transl.fl)