EUHR Solana's statement on developments in North Korea

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, today made the following remarks concerning the latest developments in North Korea:

"I want to express my great concern at the latest statements and actions of the government of North Korea. The European Union is in close contact with other (South Korea, Japan and the US) KEDO members (Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation) and I want to stress that this is neither a local issue nor an issue between North Korea and the US but it concerns the whole of the international community.

I urge North Korea to follow the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) call to resume the dialogue. The EU recognises that North Korea has a power generation problem but I do not believe that the solution to this problem is going to be found by unfreezing nuclear reactors.

In fact, the only way forward is through North Korea's return to its commitment under the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and to de-nuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.

I call on the authorities of North Korea to do this in a visible and viable manner. The European Union has been encouraged by the developments in its dialogue and co-operation with North Korea. Such positive developments could be jeopardised by such actions as North Korea has taken now."

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