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Switzerland’s government calls for a nuclear free world

Switzerland calls for nuclear-free world Swiss Info, 28 April 15  Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter has called for an “ambitious and pragmatic” approach to eliminating nuclear weapons worldwide at the opening of a United Nations conference in New York.

The month-long meeting is taking stock of the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, signed by 189 states.

In his speech, Burkhalter said current “global power shifts, geopolitical tensions, and regional instabilities… should not be an excuse for inaction” on disarmament.

The Swiss minister said the total elimination of nuclear weapons was not possible overnight but as an initial urgent step states should focus on the progressive reduction of nuclear-related risks.

“Nuclear-armed states should reduce the operational readiness of their weapons and lengthen decision times,” said Burkhalter.

He went on to stress that the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban-Treaty had still not entered into force and negotiations on a treaty prohibiting the production of fissile material had yet to commence……..http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/nuclear-arms_switzerland-calls-for-nuclear-free-world/41402170

April 30, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general