NEW YORK: The State of Qatar underlined its keenness to strengthen the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
And activation of the pillars underpinning the Treaty, namely: non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Meanwhile, the State of Qatar stressed the right of member states to have nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, and to develop their nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes.
Representing the State of Qatar during the UN General Assembly First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) meeting at the conclusion of its thematic debate on nuclear weapons.
The Third Secretary at Qatar's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York Ghanim Abdurrahman Al-Hudaifi said that the recent high-level meeting on disarmament was evidence of the increased importance placed on those issues.
Qatar underscored the value of expediting the implementation of commitments by Member States, he said.
Adding that despite his country’s optimism, a setback had occurred when NPT States parties had failed to organize a meeting on creating a Middle East zone free of mass destruction weapons.
It had not been convened, owing to the refusal of one State.
He underlined that the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons in the Middle East cannot be achieved as long as Israel has not acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
He emphasized the position of Qatar and the Arab Group regarding the necessity of Israel's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to place all its nuclear facilities to the comprehensive safeguards of the international Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
He reiterated that the conference should be convened "as soon as possible", as such a zone was crucial.
Questioning the extent to which the international community was able to create a world free of nuclear weapons.
He stressed the need for all 44 so-called "Annex II" States to the CNTBT and for universality of the NPT. (QNA)
