1995 Review and Extension Conference
of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

NPT/CONF.1995/31
9 May 1995
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
New York, 17 April-12 May 1995

NOTE VERBALE DATED 9 MAY 1995 FROM THE PERMANENT MISSION OF DENMARK,
ON BEHALF OF THE FIVE NORDIC COUNTRIES, ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-
GENERAL OF THE 1995 REVIEW AND EXTENSION CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES
TO THE TREATY ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

The Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations, on behalf of the five Nordic countries, has the honour to request that the enclosed statement, made at the meeting of the Nordic Ministers for Foreign Affairs, is issued as a document of the Conference.

Annex

STATEMENT CONCERNING THE TREATY ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF
NUCLEAR WEAPONS ISSUED AT COPENHAGEN ON 9 MAY 1995 BY
THE MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Ministers noted that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has for 25 years played an important part in the promotion of international peace and security and now enjoys near universal adherence. They stressed the importance of a decision by the ongoing Conference in New York on the indefinite and unconditional extension of the Treaty. They further noted that a vast majority already favours the indefinite extension of the Treaty and expressed the hope that all parties to the Treaty may consent thereto.

Today, 25 years after the entry into force of the Treaty, we note that significant progress has been achieved towards the realization of all the objectives of the Treaty, the importance of which is now greater than ever.

The Nordic countries, which have supported and contributed to this process according to their ability, are now determined to work vigorously for its speedy and resolute continuation. Now that international development has created new opportunities, these opportunities should be translated into obligations.

The Nordic countries welcomed the commitments undertaken by the United States of America and the Russian Federation towards further nuclear disarmament. They urge that the necessary steps be taken for START II to enter into force as soon as possible. This may provide a basis for further disarmament measures involving all nuclear-weapon States. The arms control and disarmament process must be pursued towards the ultimate goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.

Ministers urged the few States that have not yet done so to accede to the Treaty at the earliest possible date.

The negotiations on a comprehensive test-ban treaty should be concluded as soon as possible. Until that has been accomplished all nuclear-weapon States, including China, must refrain from nuclear testing. The comprehensive test-ban treaty should be followed up by a convention banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons.

Ministers stressed the importance of an intensified international cooperation on the questions associated with the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The safeguards system of IAEA should be strengthened. The principles of sustainable development must form the basis for all use of nuclear energy, including safety with regard to the operation of nuclear power plants and the handling of nuclear waste, civilian as well as military.

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