The authorities of Kazakhstan will always stand firmly on the defense of nuclear safety principles, President of the republic Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Monday.
"Today is the International Day against Nuclear Tests. It has great significance for humanity. Nuclear explosions caused colossal damage to the Kazakh land. This tragedy cannot be repeated. Our country will always stand firm on the principles of nuclear safety", he wrote on Twitter.
On the same day, the press service of the Kazakhstan MFA published a joint statement by Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Head of the ministry, and Robert Floyd, Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO PrepCom).
"We call on all states to continue to adhere to the moratorium on nuclear explosions. We urge those states that have not yet signed and/or ratified the treaty to do so without delay. We call on the eight remaining states whose ratification is required for the CTBTO to enter into force to demonstrate their commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament by taking this important step in support of international peace and security," the document reads.
The statement also noted that the time has come to bring the CTBTO into force to advance nuclear disarmament and create a safer and more secure world for future generations, a common goal of humanity in the 21st century.
August 29 marks the International Day against Nuclear Tests. It was established by the UN General Assembly on December 2, 2009 (resolution 64/35) at the initiative of Kazakhstan. The choice of the date was related to the shutdown of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in Kazakhstan, one of the largest in the world, on August 29, 1991. The Day has been celebrated annually since 2010.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS