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Test Ban Control System should be more effective |
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Spindelegger: "The nuclear test ban control system should be made still more effective"
Plea for swift entry into force of Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)
(photo: HOPI Media)
Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger
Vienna, 10 June 2009 – "Following North Korea’s latest nuclear test, the Comprehensive Test-Ban-Treaty Organization (CTBTO) has once again proven its reliability and indispensability. As a consequence of its excellent worldwide verification regime, the 180 signatories received significant objective information on the incident within a very short time. The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty marks the forefront of our commitment to non-proliferation. It is therefore imperative that the CTBTO be provided with state-of-the art scientific and technical facilities. By way of this conference we are making a positive contribution to ensuring that CTBT’s global verification regime will become still more effective," stated Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger at the opening of the Scientific Studies Conference held by the CTBTO at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace and attended by some 400 scientists and experts from 50 countries.
One of the most important tasks of the Vienna-based CTBTO is to build a worldwide system of monitoring stations which, in the event of a nuclear test, transfer reliable information to all signatory states. "The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is a pillar of international security architecture. The ban on nuclear tests is an essential step in realising our common goal: a world without nuclear weapons," affirmed Spindelegger.
The Foreign Minister emphasised that consistent efforts would continue to ensure that the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) can at long last enter into force: "We need a revival and reformation of international disarmament efforts. A nuclear weapons test is the last hurdle along the path to developing new nuclear weapons. Thirteen years after the CTBT was adopted by the UN General Assembly it must be our common concern to ensure that the idea of this Treaty is finally accepted. I therefore appeal to all states that have yet to ratify the CTBT to do so without delay," remonstrated the Foreign Minister. Swift ratification by the USA, in particular, would set an example for other states.
Federal Ministry for European and international Affairs
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