Statement by Mr Soini, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland at the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

Statement by Mr Timo Soini, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland at the Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. United Nations, New York, 20 September 2017.

Finland fully aligns itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union. 

Nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are a grave violation of international law and the DPRK’s international obligations. The DPRK’s recurring provocations cause a serious threat to the region, and increasingly constitute a threat to international peace and security. Finland condemns the nuclear and missile tests conducted by the DPRK in the strongest term.

The current situation clearly demonstrates the relevance of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the importance of its entry into force. We need to continue active work in support of the Treaty. While noting that all states but one, the DPRK, are voluntarily committed to a nuclear weapon test moratorium, I want to underscore that the moratorium cannot substitute a global Treaty with legally binding obligations. I urge all states, especially the eight Annex 2 States that have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the CTBT without further delay.

Finland commends the work done in developing the verification regime of the CTBT. The International Monitoring System (IMS) has proven its usefulness in detecting nuclear tests. No country can hide a nuclear test anymore. Finland is proud to host one of the IMS’s primary seismic stations, and is committed to supporting CTBTO’s work also in future.

The CTBT remains a core element of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. As a longstanding member of the “Friends of the CTBT”, Finland is committed to promoting the swift entry into force, the implementation, as well as the universalisation of this important Treaty.

Thank you.

Speeches held by Ministers and the top leadership of the Ministry.