Mr. President,

Distinguished delegates,

The 2010 NPT Review Conference was an important milestone in the NPT review process - member states have unequivocally reaffirmed that the Treaty remains the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime and the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear energy worldwide.

It is our strong conviction, that the Treaty is vital in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and in providing significant security benefits for all. This session of the Preparatory Committee should reaffirm the fundamental importance of full compliance with all provisions of the NPT, recognizing that non-compliance undermines the integrity of the Treaty and ruptures confidence of the parties.

Ukraine considers the total elimination of nuclear weapons to be the only absolute guarantee against the scourge of nuclear warfare and supports the call for the immediate adoption of the comprehensive international agreement on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. This ultimate goal requires a consistent long-term approach with specific practical steps and effective disarmament measures to be taken by the international community in a transparent, non-discriminatory, verifiable and irreversible manner, building a system of mutually reinforcing instruments for the achievement and maintenance of a world without nuclear weapons.

The “13 steps” on nuclear disarmament adopted at the 2000 NPT RevCon and the NPT 2010 Action Plan set credible reference points for our further efforts in this area.

Ukraine supports the universalization and rapid entry into force of the CTBT that will constitute a tangible stride in attaining the noble objective of a safe and peaceful world free of nuclear weapons.

Mr. President,

Ukraine recognizes the threat posed to international peace and security by the proliferation of nuclear weapons and stresses the need for strict compliance by all states with their non-proliferation obligations. Recognizing that a comprehensive safeguards agreement together with an additional protocol represents the verification standard that best fulfils the objectives of article III of the Treaty, Ukraine urges all states which have not yet done so to conclude and to bring into force an additional protocol as soon as possible.

We would like to underline the importance of strict compliance with the UN Security Council resolutions on the prevention of black market supply networks, trafficking and acquisition of nuclear materials by non-state actors. We also underscore the importance of strengthening physical protection of nuclear material and facilities given the increased risk of nuclear terrorism. There is a strong need for adherence to existing legal instruments, especially to the International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and the amended Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material.

Ukraine stands firm in its adherence to disarmament and non-proliferation commitments. The most recent contribution of my country to the reinvigorated efforts of the international community on strengthening nuclear security is the full implementation of the 2010 Washington security summit obligation to get rid of all stocks of high enriched uranium. We have already fulfilled our pledge and removed over 100 kg of the HEU for downgrading to low enriched uranium to be used by the Ukrainian nuclear research facilities.

Mr. President,

We proceed from understanding that security assurances to be provided by nuclear-weapon States will further strengthen the non-proliferation regime as they would not only dissuade States from acquiring nuclear weapons but they would be also highly instrumental for strengthening confidence, building a new quality of regional and global security environment. In our view the elaboration of a draft legal international agreement on effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons will represent an achievable step towards fulfillment of the commitments under Action 7 of the 2010 NPT Action Plan and will strongly promote further non-proliferation agenda and strengthen the NPT regime.

Ukraine underlines the importance of the establishment of zones free of all weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, where they do not exist, especially in regions of tension, first of all in the Middle East. We call upon all parties concerned to take necessary urgent steps required for full implementation of the 1995 decision to establish an effectively verifiable WMD free zone in the Middle East. We regret that the decision reached at the 2010 NPT Review Conference on holding the dedicated international conference in 2012 has not been implemented.

Mr. President,

Ukraine considers peaceful uses of nuclear energy an equally important NPT pillar. We underscore the vital need of peaceful nuclear technology for sustainable development of nations, provided that nuclear activities are subject to the comprehensive safeguards of the IAEA.

In that context, we stress the value and importance of the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme, which plays an important role in the development of the application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. We also acknowledge the wide use of nuclear technology in the areas of health, industry, agriculture and environmental protection. It is important to ensure that the Programme is adequately financed in a sustainable manner.

Ensuring nuclear fuel supply is a very complex and multi-dimensional concept with many technical, legal, commercial and economic implications. We remain convinced of the benefits of multilateral approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle, in which assurance mechanisms do not distort the existing nuclear market and address fully the right of states to peaceful uses of nuclear energy. We acknowledge that several initiatives, including the establishment of the IAEA Low Enriched Uranium Bank, can provide necessary back-up mechanisms to interested countries and facilitate lasting multilateral solutions for the expanding need for nuclear fuel and nuclear fuel services while minimizing the risk of proliferation.

Mr.President,

Ukraine is fully committed to the comprehensive strengthening of the NPT regime and reiterates its readiness to support your efforts to this end.

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