The European Union welcomes that the Comoros ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) on 19 February. With this ratification, the total number of States that have signed and ratified the CTBT reached 170, while the number of States that have signed this Treaty is currently 185, including all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
We are looking forward to working with the Comoros to universalise the Treaty, to strengthen and support its International Monitoring System, and to participate in the scientific exchanges promoted by the CTBT Organisation.
The entry into force and universal adherence to the CTBT is a top priority for the EU. The Treaty is a strong confidence- and security building measure at international, regional and bilateral level, which has already become an effective instrument with its solid and effective verification mechanism. We urge all States that have not yet done so, in particular those listed in Annex II of the Treaty, to sign and ratify it without any preconditions or further delay. In the meantime, we call on all States to abide by a moratorium on nuclear weapon test explosions or any other nuclear explosions, and to refrain from any action that would undermine the object and purpose of the Treaty.
European Union
