§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the situation in North Korea. [90290]
§ Mr. RammellMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued a press statement on North Korea's intention to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty on 10 January. The text of the statement is as follows
I deplore North Korea's stated intention to withdraw from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Such a step, if carried through, will only increase North Korea's isolation from the international community. I call on the North Korean leadership to change course. The NPT is the cornerstone of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, supported by almost every country in the world. North Korea's action is therefore a matter of deep concern for the entire international community.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in North Korea concerning its(a) nuclear power and (b) nuclear arms programmes. [90698]
§ Mr. RammellMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had any direct contact with the DPRK Foreign Minister on the matter of North Korea's nuclear programmes. However, our Ambassador to Pyongyang raised this issue during meetings with the DPRK Foreign Minister, Vice Foreign Minister, and titular Head of State Kim Yong-nam, at the end of December. FCO officials have also been in regular contact with the DPRK Chargéd'affaires in London on this issue since his arrival at the beginning of November. Most recently, FCO officials summoned the Chargéd' Affairs on 10 January to protest against recent actions by the DPRK. We shall continue to use official channels in London and Pyongyang to raise our concerns with North Korea about its nuclear programmes and intention to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.