Thank you, Mr. President,
I would like to thank Under Secretary General Di Carlo for her briefing and Mr. Byrne for his presentation.
Greece remains deeply concerned by the continued development of the DPRK’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, which continue to pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security. Recent ballistic missile launches by DPRK, including the latest short-range ballistic missile tests and reported testing of upgraded payload configurations, represent yet another destabilizing development. Combined with the steady expansion of nuclear-related activities, they further erode the credibility of the global non-proliferation and disarmament architecture, with the NPT as its cornerstone.
At the same time, as the latest report of the Director General of the IAEA from last August confirms, the DPRK’s nuclear activities continue to be a cause of serious concern. The Agency has not been able since 1994 to conduct all necessary safeguards activities provided for in the NPT Safeguards Agreement, and its inspectors have not been present in the DPRK since 2009, while there are indications of expanded operation of uranium enrichment facilities, and possible construction of an additional enrichment facility. In other words, Mr. President, the DPRK continues to expand sensitive nuclear activities in direct contradiction to relevant Security Council resolutions.
Against such actions, which further escalate tensions in a security environment already aggravated by regional conflicts, this Council must continue to defend the integrity of its own decisions and of the wider non-proliferation regime.
It is against this background that Greece, as former – and hopefully future – Chair of the 1718 Committee, reiterates the importance of full implementation of Security Council resolution 1718 (2006) and all subsequent relevant resolutions. Sanctions remain an essential instrument aimed at peacefully encouraging the DPRK to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile activities and to return to meaningful diplomatic engagement.