Cyprus’ Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou, reaffirmed the critical importance of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty.
At the same time, he stressed the threats from nuclear power plants built in areas of high seismicity like the Eastern Mediterranean.
Addressing the 10th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons taking place at the UN headquarters in New York, Hadjichrysanthou said the NPT is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and a key instrument in safeguarding international peace and security, adding that positive steps have been taken regarding the pillars of the non-proliferation and of the peaceful use of nuclear energy, noting however that “we still need to see an extra effort regarding the disarmament pillar”.
The Permanent Representative said Cyprus subscribes fully to the statement of the European Union on the NPT and added like other small states, “our security relies heavily on the international system of collective security, including the disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control regimes”.
At this point, he underlined that global security is not served by the existence of nuclear weapons and “we cannot overstate the importance of ensuring that no additional states acquire nuclear weapons”.
Hadjichrysanthou said “we are particularly concerned about the effects on security of the heavily polarized international climate, as well as the potential of having an arms race in our immediate neighbourhood”.
There is a need, he said, to recommit to the full implementation of, and strict compliance with, the NPT as well as a diminished role of nuclear weapons in defense and security doctrines.
Hadjichrysanthou added that while Cyprus welcomes the extension of the New START Treaty, “we support the strengthening of international obligations through the entry into force of the CTBT and the adoption of an effectively verifiable Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. We also wish to see a swift return to full and effective implementation of the JCPoA, a great achievement of multilateral diplomacy and a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture”.
With regards to nuclear energy safety, he said “there is a need for an increased focus in our region”.
The Cypriot diplomat stressed that the inalienable right of all states to engage in peaceful programs of nuclear energy comes with the responsibility to use nuclear energy with utmost caution, complete transparency, and the highest possible environmental and human safety standards. States should avoid building nuclear power plants in areas of high seismicity or otherwise prone to natural disasters.
“We stress the need to have updated early warning systems concerning nuclear accidents with transboundary implications, particularly seismic early warning systems for nuclear power plants”, he added.
He reiterated that all have an individual and collective responsibility towards our societies and mankind, adding “we need to engage in our deliberations with their safety and security in mind, with a view to the ultimate goal of a world free of nuclear weapons”.
Source: Cyprus News Agency