Brussels, 08/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 7 March, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton welcomed the unanimous adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 2094, which imposes fresh sanctions against North Korea the same day. “This is a clear expression of the unity of the international community and its resolve to uphold the global non-proliferation regime. It sends an unequivocal message to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea that the international community will not tolerate the continued violations of its resolutions”, she added. Ashton said that the EU will swiftly act in support of the resolution and transpose the measures it contains.
This resolution expresses the greatest concern of the members of the Security Council to the nuclear trial on 12 February and underlines that important additional measures will be able to be taken if Pyongyang tests an atomic bomb again or launches a rocket. New financial measures, new people and businesses on the list of assets freezing and travel bans, and putting North Korean diplomats under surveillance have been decided.
Call for cooperation. Ashton also regretted the fact that the North Korean authorities have already “threatened further provocative actions” and reiterated her call for the authorities to reflect rather than threaten, and to choose a “more constructive” path through re-engagement with the international community. Pyongyang has particularly warned the United States that it is open to a “pre-emptive nuclear strike”. On 8 March, North Korea announced that it was breaking the non-aggression agreements with neighbouring South Korea, and that it was cutting the red telephone between the two countries. (CG/transl.fl)