Vienna, 19 February 2024
Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Georgia, Iceland+ and San Marino.
The European Union congratulates you on your re-appointment as Chair of Working Group B, and assures you of our continued support and cooperation. We also thank the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) for the timely preparation of this meeting, in close coordination with the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairpersons and the Working Group B (WGB) Task Leaders.
Chair,
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty’s (CTBT) entry into force and universalisation remain a priority for the EU. We urge all States, which have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the CTBT – in particular the remaining Annex II States – without any preconditions or further delay. Pending CTBT entry into force, the EU calls on all States to abide by the moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and to refrain from any action contrary to the object and purpose of the Treaty. In this regard, we deeply deplore the unprecedented decision of Russia to revoke its ratification of the CTBT and expect Russia to maintain its contribution to the International Monitoring System (IMS) and data availability through the verification regime.
We reiterate our full confidence in the CTBT’s verification regime, which has demonstrated its ability to provide independent and reliable data that will help to deter non-compliance with the Treaty once it enters into force. We recall that the DPRK is the only country having conducted full-scale nuclear explosive testing in the 21st century. We strongly urge the DPRK to refrain from any further nuclear tests.
Chair,
We thank the Executive Secretary for his opening statement and report on verification related activities for the period July – December 2023 and look forward to the presentations by the PTS Directors and staff of the International Monitoring System (IMS), the International Data Centre (IDC) and On-Site Inspection (OSI) Divisions, on the implementation of the verification related programme.
The EU considers the completion and maintenance of IMS stations a priority and encourages the PTS and States Signatories to cooperate to this end. In this regard, we take note of the certification of auxiliary seismic station AS92, which brings the total number of certified stations to 292. Moreover, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the verification regime, through adequate funding, remains crucial. We encourage the PTS to continue its important operations, including building, certifying, operating and repairing IMS stations. The EU supports the recommendation of the PTS on the relocation of two stations, as their existing configuration is no longer viable. We thank the PTS for circulating the technical strategy for the IMS sustainment (doc. CTBT/PTS/INF.1685) and look forward to further discussion and information during this Session.
The EU reiterates its position that temporary mobile noble gas measurements are essential for the analysis of the IDC in further understanding the global radionuclide background and to facilitate the correct categorization of events. As confirmed by the PTS, this on-going activity is part of, and helps carry out its mandate.
Data availability, including through accurate and timely IDC reports and station reliability is equally essential. The EU strongly regrets that some certified stations do not transmit any data to the IDC in Vienna. The EU welcomes the support provided by the PTS to States Signatories through the “National Data Centres (NDCs) for All” initiative, such as the provision of capacity building systems (CBS), which were procured including voluntary funding provided by the EU.
The EU and its Member States have been one of the largest contributors to the OSI technologies capacity building, through significant financial contributions. We welcome the organisation of regular OSI exercises, including the recent tabletop exercise, the directed exercises and the upcoming Build-Up Exercise 2024 in Hungary. We look forward to the Integrated Field Exercise 2025 (IFE25) in Sri Lanka, which will be a major milestone for the activities of the OSI division and the credibility of the future verification regime. We look forward to receiving further information on the status of PTS preparations and objectives of the IFE25.
The EU, in accordance with our continued political and financial commitment to the Organisation, provides significant voluntary contributions to support the verification regime as well as capacity building and outreach, particularly in developing countries. The Technical Experts Support Programme (TESP) continues to be financed through EU Council Decisions no. VIII and XI. In this regard, we welcome the sustained efforts within the CTBTO towards gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls, including the enhanced participation of female experts in capacity building programmes and WGB activities.
Thank you Chair.
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* Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
+ Iceland is a member of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.
Source: Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna