SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT PHASE OF DENUCLEARIZATION OF KOREAN

PENINSULA IS ‘IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN MULTILATERAL DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS’

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes today’s announcement at the six-party talks in Beijing on the next phase of the denuclearization in the Korean peninsula.  It stipulates important measures and steps aimed at implementing the provisions of the agreement reached in February this year.

The Secretary-General is encouraged by this important step forward in multilateral diplomatic efforts towards a nuclear-free peninsula.  Given the vital importance of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, these efforts deserve strong support from the international community, in order to maintain the current momentum.  The Secretary-General encourages all the parties concerned to step up their work for denuclearization, as well as peace and security in the region, and to enhance mutual trust among them.

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For information media • not an official record