New York, 3 August 2022 (TDI): France reaffirmed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone nuclear non-proliferation regime at the tenth NPT Review Conference hosted by the United Nations (UN) in New York.
During the Review Conference, France reaffirmed its continuous efforts toward the full implementation of all provisions of the NPT.
In addition to this, France highlighted its commitment to promoting international peace and security. Moreover, France recalled its enduring efforts to reduce nuclear risks under the Article VI of the NPT.
Our commitment to preserving and implementing the Non-Proliferation Treaty is all the more important in times of crisis. « We are committed to addressing regional proliferation crises wherever they arise. »
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— France Diplomacy🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo_EN) August 1, 2022
The Foreign Ministry of France highlighted that the Conference embodies collective support of the countries for the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
Also read: UK at the tenth NPT Review Conference
Nuclear Non-proliferation
The Director of the Directorate for Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament of the French Foreign Ministry, Philippe Bertoux, said that this year’s NPT Review Conference is held against a specific and serious backdrop, which is the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“When a nuclear-weapon state engages in an armed conflict against a State that freely renounced the stationing of nuclear weapons in its territory, it is a major serious act that undermines international security”, the Director added.
Moreover, the Director said that they were counting on this conference to take forward the Treaty with three courses. These include; firstly working to resolve nuclear non-proliferation crises, particularly in Iran and North Korea.
Secondly, all the countries, as parties to the NPT should provide support to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Thirdly, the focus of the work should be on ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities.
Furthermore, Bertoux added that France is concerned about the security of the Ukrainian nuclear facilities in areas occupied by Russia.
Also read: US Secretary of State attends NPT Review Conference
Joint Statement
Moreover, at the Review Conference, France also released a ministerial joint statement with the UK and the USA. The joint statement affirmed the commitment of the three states to the objectives contained in the statement of 3 January 2022.
Avec 🇬🇧 🇺🇲, à la 10ème conf. d’examen du #TNP, nous 🇫🇷 réaffirmons la primauté du TNP comme clé de voûte du régime de non-prolifération et de désarmement nucléaires. Une guerre nucléaire ne peut être gagnée et ne doit jamais être menée (déclaration des 5 états dotés janvier 2022) pic.twitter.com/lr1fxbbr6g
— Catherine Colonna (@MinColonna) August 2, 2022
The statement of 3 January was related to the prevention of nuclear war, entitled “Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Race.”
