NATO Releases Statement on 11th NPT Review Conference

The statement affirms NATO allies' commitment to the full implementation of the NPT.

The statement notes that the current security environment presents challenges to the NPT, with ongoing proliferation issues. It states that Russia has violated arms control commitments and used threatening nuclear rhetoric. The statement also indicates that China is expanding and diversifying its nuclear arsenal without transparency.

It mentions that both countries have increased ties with states seeking to proliferate nuclear weapons and undermine arms control. The statement encourages the United States' efforts toward multilateral strategic stability.

The statement declares that NATO will remain a nuclear alliance as long as nuclear weapons exist. It describes the purpose of NATO's nuclear capability as preserving peace, preventing coercion, and deterring aggression. NATO's nuclear sharing arrangements are consistent with the NPT and have been in place since before the treaty's entry into force, according to the statement.

The statement rejects attempts to delegitimize nuclear deterrence and notes that the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons does not alter legal obligations. NATO allies commit to the preservation, universalization, and full implementation of the NPT.

They support arms control, disarmament, non-proliferation, transparency, risk reduction, and cooperation on peaceful uses. The statement expresses commitment to all NPT objectives, including Article VI, aiming for verifiable nuclear elimination with undiminished security for all.

NATO aims to contribute to a successful review conference and is ready to work with all NPT states parties.