Norway is deeply concerned that the DPRK has announced its withdrawal from the Six Party consultation in Beijing. Like the rest of the international community, Norway deplored the recent missiles launch test by the DPRK. This action not only undermines regional security, but remains also a fundamental challenge to the NPT regime. Norway reiterates its support to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis. It is up to the DPRK to make use of this opportunity.
Norway regrets that the Islamic republic of Iran continues to defy the IAEA and the UN Security Council and pursue sensitive nuclear activities. No one doubt Iran’s right to peaceful uses as stipulated by the NPT. Yet, Iran has still a long way to go before the international community has confidence that its nuclear activities are solely for peaceful purposes. Iran can bridge this gap of confidence by fully cooperating with the IAEA and complying by the recent unanimous UN Security Council.
Likewise, Norway urges Syria to cooperate with the IAEA in solving legitimate proliferation concerns.
It goes without saying that solving these proliferation challenges will be of crucial importance in achieving the goal of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery in Middle East and to reach a denuclearised Korean peninsula.
Norway fully recognises the importance of the Middle East resolution adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension Conference. We regret that little progress has been made in achieving the objective set in this resolution. Norway has contributed with financial resources to analytical studies and workshops in order to identify possible ways to advance on the Middle East resolution. In this respect my delegation looks forward to the workshop to be held in Amman on 25 and 26 June 2009.
Mr. Chair,
My delegation notes the concern raised by the decision taken by the NSG to allow for civilian nuclear cooperation with India. Norway welcomed the declaration made by the External Affairs Minister of India, confirming India’s commitments to nuclear disarmament, a continued moratorium on nuclear testing, strengthening of the international non-proliferation regime and to finalize an Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement. These commitments are an essential part of the basis for the NSG decision on civil nuclear cooperation with India.