Brussels, 08/02/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 7 February, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini condemned North Korea's firing of a long-range rocket to put a satellite in orbit.
According to Mogherini, this launch using ballistic missile technology is “yet another outright and grave violation of its obligations”. The firing, along with the nuclear test on 6 January, are “a direct threat to international peace and security” and aggravate tensions on the Korean peninsula “to the detriment of all”, Mogherini said in a press release.
She again called on North Korea to comply with its international obligations and to abandon its programmes to develop ballistic missiles, its nuclear capabilities and weapons of mass destruction “in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner”. Pyongyang must refrain from any action that could further increase regional tensions, Mogherini added, calling on the North Korean government to engage in a “credible and constructive” dialogue with the international community, in particular in the framework of the six-party talks. She stated that the EU was in close contact with all its partners and would work with the UN Security Council.
The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Sunday 7 February and committed to taking out sanctions swiftly. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)