Toespraak Verhagen bij ministeriële bijeenkomst CTBT

Gelegenheid: ministeriële bijeenkomst CTBT

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

We believe that the call for disarmament and non-proliferation is gaining renewed momentum in the 21st century. The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is one of the main threats facing the world today. It should be prevented through a legally binding system of international treaties and enforcement mechanisms. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which was signed in 1968, aims not only to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons but to eliminate them entirely. In this respect, the CTBT is another means to the same end. Further proliferation would be detrimental to our common security interests and to the world as a whole. We all need to intensify our efforts to eliminate this threat.

The CTBT is a vital link in the chain of mutually reinforcing treaties, arrangements and regimes that deal with weapons of mass destruction. As one of the founding fathers of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the Netherlands remains strongly committed to its entry into force. We regret this has not yet happened. We should all persist in our efforts towards an entry-into-force.

We are hopeful about the future of the CTBT and proud of what has been achieved so far. The number of ratifications is still rising, and the international verification network (of which approximately 75% is already in place) has proven itself effective.

Let me share with you some thoughts on the challenges and opportunities for the CTBT in the coming years.

Firstly, we see a challenge in developments in international politics. We hope that the upcoming elections in the United States will mark a turning point, leading to CTBT ratification not only by the US but by other countries as well.

Secondly, we hope that political developments in other countries that have not yet joined will lead them to take a fresh look at the Treaty’s benefits.

Thirdly, the growth and increasing strength of the CTBT verification network of 321 monitoring stations, already provisionally operational, proves the Treaty’s worth, and its security and civilian benefits in particular.

As for the prospects for its entry into force, we remain optimistic. Until that happens, the challenge is to keep the CTBT functioning and continue building the verification network.