2015 Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference - - Statement by Ambassador Dr. C. Boura

Mme President,

We would like to convey to the people of Nepal our sympathy and condolences for the unprecedented disaster that took place in the country.

Allow me, at the outset, to extend to you Madam Ambassador Feroukhi, the congratulations of the Greek Government, on your election to the Chair of the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. We feel confident that your outstanding diplomatic presence and skills, will contribute to the successful outcome of our work over the next four weeks.

Greece aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the EU by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Frederica Mogherini. In my national capacity I would like to refer to the great importance, Greece attaches to the Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. 

Mme President, 

Greece, was among the first States to sign the NPT. We believe that the Treaty has established a solid foundation upon which nuclear disarmament efforts are being built, in harmony with the other 2 pillars, the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the nuclear non-proliferation.

Nuclear disarmament has witnessed successful progress with the new START Treaty. This important development with its global impact continues to be today a promising foundation for further, gradual, disarmament effort.

Additional disarmament steps important for Greece include: (a) the ratification of the CTBT for the comprehensive ban of nuclear tests, a necessary step forward replacing today’s voluntary test banning among the nuclear powers, (b) the combustive inauguration of the negotiation process towards an FMCT treaty banning the production of fissile materials, (c) the provision of security assurances to the non-nuclear weapon states, an important step of confidence and trust for the NPT signatories, and, (d) additional confidence building measures such as the creation of Nuclear Weapons Free Zones.

The adoption of the Addition Protocol by all UN member states has strengthened the NPT comprehensive safeguards system. Combined with the UN Security Council Resolution 1540/2004 for nuclear terrorism, it provides a strong basis for international peace and security

25 years after the end of the Cold War, the International Atomic Energy Agency has proved to be a universal instrument for nuclear safeguarding. IAEA’s Additional Protocol can provide the basis for Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement which in turn act as a verification standard eligible for building confidence and trust.

Exercising the rights of Article 10 is a matter of general concern, not the case of an individual state, and should not prejudice the commitments already taken in the past.

The recent political agreement between E3+3 and Iran constitutes an important step towards a final comprehensive nuclear agreement. We welcome the recent agreement for a joint plan of action on key parameters between the Foreign Ministers of the E3+3 and Iran. We are hopefull that a comprehensive nuclear agreement will constitute a step towards ensuring the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Mme President,

Greece supports the cautious and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. At the same time it attributes great importance to the issue of nuclear waste management. The idea of a multinational approach for a cost-effective, politically neutral fuel cycle –supported by the EU– is an opportunity for diminishing the circulation of low enriched fuel and for disposing the vast amounts of weapons grade fissile material by downgrading them for peaceful use. Non discriminatory access into nuclear fuel minimizes the risks of further nuclear proliferation and terrorism.

Environmental safety considerations should always be taken into account, especially in regions with dynamic seismic and earthquake activity, as the experience of recent nuclear accidents and disasters has made evident. International law regarding peaceful uses of nuclear energy and especially the ESPOO Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context Project (of 1997), should be the cornerstone for those aspiring to utilize nuclear energy. All states should adhere to it.

Greece Mme President, wishes to see the establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction and therefore supports efforts to reach an agreement and convene a Conference based on the decisions of the 5th NPT Review Conference (1995) and the 2010 Action Plan.

We hope that the Review Conference will prove to be the Forum for advancement of the three fundamental pillars of the treaty, namely disarmament, non-proliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Thank you Mme President