Qatar Reiterates Firm Stance against Nuclear Weapons

Vienna, May 03 (QNA) - Qatar has reiterated its belief that nuclear weapons do not achieve security for any country, and a country's persistence to maintain a nuclear program above the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) would increase conflict, arms race, and undermine the NPT. It underlined from this standpoint the importance of Israel's inclusion in the NPT system in the Middle East as a non-nuclear nation, as it is the only country currently outside it, said Qatar s permanent delegate to the international organizations, HE Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri in a statement he delivered at the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT in Vienna. The State of Qatar called for the region's nations to abide by their commitments, avoiding excess fissile material leading to political tension and threatening peace. It also encouraged increased transparency and confidence-building in execution of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decrees. One of the main issues of interest to Qatar is an international implementation of the NPT, HE Al-Mansouri indicated. It has positively welcomed the idea of a 2012 conference as it closely follows procedures, mostly the active participation of concerned countries in the next conference, he underlined. The focus is on the five nuclear-weapon states with political will to reach practical results to build upon for the inception of Israel as a non-nuclear nation, Qatar's delegate explained. Additionally, towards the goal of a nuclear-free region and devoid of weapons of mass destruction according to the Middle East's 1995 Review Conference, he added. HE Qatar's permanent delegate to the international organizations, HE Ali Khalfan al-Mansouri meanwhile highlighted the absolute right of any world country to develop nuclear energy for peaceful uses, and to obtain nuclear energy without any restrictions or discriminations. He said that there shouldn't be political conditions to hinder countries from getting what they need of materials and equipment, adding that it would be in violation of the treaty. The Qatari official noted that the increasing use of nuclear weapon for peaceful purposes has emphasized the need to establish the maximum levels of nuclear safety and security, calling on world countries to respect international agreements regarding nuclear safety. "We don't mind promoting these conventions, increasing their effectiveness, and developing their mechanisms, provided that such measures don't hamper or put additional conditions affecting the full utilization of nuclear technology for peaceful and civil purposes of states," HE said in his statement before the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the NPT in Vienna.. He said that NPT's sixth article is the cornerstone of nuclear disarmament, noting that states possessing nuclear weapons haven't been able, throughout four decades, to reach a serious plan to get rid of their destructive nuclear weapons. "Qatar calls on nuclear states to get into serious and effective negotiations to reach a gradual program that ensures full, frank and transparent implementation, and within a specific time frame for the thirteen practical steps agreed at the 2000 NPT Review Conference, and the conversion of the action plan adopted by the 2010 Review Conference," HE added. (QNA)