North Atlantic Council Statement on North Korea
The North Atlantic Council at its meeting on April 8 condemned the launch, using ballistic missile technology, by North Korea (DPRK) on April 5.
The NAC has already expressed its grave concern over North Korea’s continuing development and proliferation of ballistic missiles, missile-related materials, equipment, and technology. This launch is yet another step in the development of a North Korean long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It violates United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1695 (2006) and 1718(2006) demanding suspension of all DPRK activities related to its ballistic missile programme and, in this context, re-establishment of its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launching.
These irresponsible and provocative actions by Pyongyang pose a serious threat to the region and the international community at large. The Alliance calls upon Pyongyang to fulfill its international obligations and restore dialogue within the Six-Party framework. The NAC urges North Korea to abandon all ballistic missile programmes, to fully implement all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and to eliminate its nuclear weapons and related programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. The Alliance calls upon North Korea to refrain from any actions which could contribute to raising tensions in the future.