§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a 331W statement on the outcome of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference held at the United Nations in New York. [122839]
§ Mr. HainWe are delighted with the very positive outcome. It reaffirms the importance of the NPT as the cornerstone of global non-proliferation and disarmament efforts.
The key elements from the final document are:
(a) The nuclear-weapon States have given "an unequivocal undertaking…to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament to which all States parties are committed under Article VI.(b) The nuclear-weapon States will take the following steps "leading to nuclear disarmament in a way that promotes international stability, and based on the principle of undiminished security for all:Further efforts by the nuclear-weapon States to reduce their nuclear arsenals unilaterally.Increased transparency by the nuclear-weapon States with regard to their nuclear weapons capabilities and the implementation of agreements pursuant to Article VI and as a voluntary confidence-building measure to support further progress on nuclear disarmament.The further reduction of non-strategic nuclear weapons, based on unilateral initiatives and as an integral part of the nuclear arms reduction and disarmament process.Concrete agreed measures to further reduce the operational status of nuclear weapon systems.A diminishing role for nuclear weapons in security policies to minimize the risk that these weapons ever be used and to facilitate the process of their total elimination.The engagement as soon as appropriate of all the nuclear-weapon States in the process leading to the total elimination of their nuclear weapons.The UK delegation played an active and pivotal role throughout the Conference. We worked hard to bridge the gaps between the Nuclear Weapon States and influential Non-Nuclear Weapon States, in particular those belonging to the New Agenda Coalition. Our constructive role has been widely recognised and welcomed. We have clearly demonstrated our commitment to further international progress on non-proliferation and disarmament.
Many people feared that this Conference would not be able to reach agreement, but the constructive attitude all sides have shown has demonstrated the continuing importance the international community attaches to non-proliferation and disarmament.
We now look forward to translating this agreement into concrete international progress.
I will arrange for the final documents from the Review Conference to be put in the Library of the House when they are available.