On the Participation of Belarus Delegation in the Session of the Preparatory Committee for the Review Conference within the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

24 April 2013

24-04-2013

The 2nd session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference within the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is held in Geneva on 22 April – 03 May2013.

The Belarusian delegation led by Mr.Mikhail Khvostov, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Belarus in Geneva participates in the abovementioned event. Belarus delegation includes the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Belarus in Geneva.

The purpose of the meeting is to evaluate the implementation of the NPT and to take recommendations on substantive and procedural issues in preparation for the 2015 Review Conference of the Treaty. It is planned to evaluate the implementation of the Action Plan in the field of nuclear disarmament, approved by the NPT Review Conference in 2010. Belarus took active part in preparation of the document.

On April 23, 2013 Belarusian side made a statement during the general debate of the meeting.

In particular, it was pointed out that Belarus considers the NPT as a fundamental legally binding international instrument in the framework of the existing architecture of international security. The Belarusian party is in favor of further strengthening the Treaty and balanced implementation of all its provisions.

It was emphasized that the Budapest memorandum of 1994 has a particular importance for our country. This document contains trilateral security assurances provided in connection with the Belarusian accession to the NPT and voluntary refusal of Belarus from the right to possess with nuclear weapons. Budapest Memorandum registered in the UN as an international treaty.

Our delegation recalled that the Action Plan in the field of nuclear disarmament, approved by the NPT Review Conference in 2010, has the provisions that the nuclear-weapon States shall fully respect their existing commitments on security assurances to non-nuclear states.

In this regard, the Belarusian side drew attention to the fact that despite the repeatedly documented and confirmed pledges some nuclear powers, in practice, they are ignored, while continuing to apply the measures of economic and political pressure.