New York City, N.Y., May 5, 2009 / 22:38 pm
Calling for “concrete, transparent and convincing steps” towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, the apostolic nuncio leading the Holy See’s permanent observer mission to the United Nations, outlined five objectives the delegation believes to be achievable in a short time.
Speaking to the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 U.N. Conference on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the archbishop said the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Weapons (NPT) remains a “cornerstone” of nuclear disarmament after four decades.
“The Holy See reaffirms its strong and continuing support for the NPT and calls for universal and full adherence to and compliance with the Treaty,” he said.
Noting that more than 26,000 nuclear warheads remain in the world, he urged all states to strive to achieve a nuclear weapons-free world through the NPT.
Adherence to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Archbishop Migliore said, is “essential and achievable” if states are serious about their commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons.