Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
(New York, 20 September 2017)
Statement by H.E Ambassador Alper Coşkun,
Director General for International Security Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
Distinguished Co-Presidents,
(Turkey associates itself with the EU statement delivered this morning, yet, due to the importance we attach to the CTBT, I would like to make additional remarks in our national capacity).
At the outset, let me express our appreciation for the work and efforts undertaken by Japan and Kazakhstan in their role as Article XIV coordinators. We congratulate Belgium and Iraq on their assumption of the Presidency and assure them of our full support and cooperation.
Let me also extend our thanks to Dr. LassinaZerbo for his professional and dedicated work as Executive Secretary of the CTBTO.
Excellencies,
Turkey recognizes that a universal and effectively verifiable Treaty constitutes a fundamental instrument in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
We reaffirm the vital importance and urgency of the entry into force of the CTBT. Unfortunately, this urgency is once again highlighted through current developments in the Korean Peninsula.
This principle was stressed also at the 2000 Review Conference of the NPT, the Final Declaration of the 2015 Conference on Facilitating the Entry into Force of the CTBT, the 2016 Joint Ministerial Statement of the Friends of the CTBT and General Assembly resolution 71/86 which Turkey has co-sponsored.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We welcome the fact that the number of states countries that have signed the Treaty has reached 183 and the number of ratifiershas risen to 166.
Turkey urges the remaining Annex 2 States, whose ratification is necessary for the entry into force of the CTBT, to sign and ratify the CTBT without further delay.
Naturally, if nuclear weapon states take the lead, it will create a major impetus. Nevertheless, non-nuclear weapon states should also move ahead.
One bold step will create a bigger leap elsewhere. Pending the entry into force, the only mechanism we have at hand is the voluntary moratoria on nuclear weapon tests.
The fact that this key instrument has not yet entered into force, however, is regrettable. It is high time that we make tangible progress towards its entry into force. Turkey views the Article XIV Conferences as a significant opportunity to underpin this necessity.
Albeit not legally binding, all states need to diligently uphold these moratoria in order to safely proceed to our ultimate goal of achieving the entry into force of the Treaty, which will render it binding.
Turkey strongly condemns the nuclear tests conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the most recent of which was conducted on 3 September 2017. We urge the DPRK not to conduct any further nuclear tests and fully comply with UNSecurity Council resolutions.
Distinguished Co-Presidents,
Turkey was among the first signatories of the CTBT and since its inception, we have faithfully honoured our commitments deriving from the Treaty.
Apart from an active cooperation with the CTBTO at the technical level, including through its International Monitoring System, Turkey is also politically engaged in raising broad awareness about the objectives of the Treaty and encouraging its ratification.
We pursue these efforts with steadfast commitment, on a bilateral level and collectively with others, most notably through the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI).
I thank you for your attention.