May 23, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the 2015 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference:
“Canada remains strongly committed to upholding and strengthening all three pillars of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). For 45 years, the NPT has formed the bedrock of the international regime to advance nuclear disarmament, ensure non-proliferation and facilitate the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Canada relies on the NPT as the framework against which to measure the behaviour of known proliferators such as Iran and North Korea.
“Unfortunately, the outcome document proposed for the 2015 NPT Review Conference contained elements that fail to ensure an inclusive and consensus-based approach to holding a conference on the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the Middle East.
“As part of our commitment to a strong treaty, Canada has consistently and repeatedly stressed that decisions taken by the NPT Review Conference must be realistic, implementable and reflect consensus. If the Review Conference makes commitments that we cannot fulfill, we are simply setting this vital treaty up for failure.
“Canada can support only a legitimate Middle East WMD conference process that addresses the concerns of all states in the region, including Israel’s, and ensures their participation based on consent. Canada believes that agreement on a reasonable outcome on the Middle East WMD conference was possible and within reach. It is regrettable that a few states of the region were unable to accommodate the needs and interests of the region as a whole.
“It was with deep regret that Canada, alongside its close allies the United States and the United Kingdom, was unable to support consensus on today’s 2015 NPT Review Conference outcome document. While this outcome is unfortunate, we hope it sends a strong message about Canada’s resolve not to compromise the integrity of a treaty to which we remain fully and deeply committed.”
Johanna Quinney
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
343-203-1851
johanna.quinney@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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