EU Concluding Statement Sixty First (Resumed) Session of Preparatory Commission Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Vienna, 4 December 2023

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EU Concluding Statement Sixty First (Resumed) Session of Preparatory Commission Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Vienna, 4 December 2023

05.12.2023 Press and information team of the Delegation to UN and OSCE in Vienna

Chair,

1. The EU wishes to express its great appreciation to you and your team for your tireless efforts and extensive consultations, under challenging circumstances, in seeking a consensual way forward and ensuring that this Session could come to a conclusion.

2. The current Session of the Commission had to take a number of important decisions, including the adoption of the Programme and Budget Proposals for 2024-2025. It took place against the backdrop of the deplorable decision of an Annex 2 country to withdraw its ratification of the CTBT, contrary to its Article XIV commitments. Under your able guidance, we are pleased that the Commission was still able to reach agreement and move forward, ensuring the Organisation's continued functioning to the benefit of all States Signatories, and in line with our principled position on upholding multilateralism and the rules-based international order. The European Union will continue its strong support for the work of the Preparatory Commission and the entry-into-force of the CTBT. We repeat our call on all remaining States, in particular the Annex 2 countries, to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay.

Thank you, Chair.