UNSC Resolution on N.Korea Upholds Non-Proliferation Regime - Mogherini

The resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council to introduce new set of sanctions against North Korea demonstrated international resolve to uphold regime of nuclear non-proliferation, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement on Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The sanctions under the new resolution adopted earlier in the day in response to recent nuclear and ballistic tests conducted by Pyongyang are due to affect multiple sectors of North Korea's economy, making all cargo entering and leaving the country subject to inspection and limiting or prohibiting the nation's export of coal, iron, gold, titanium and rare natural minerals. The resolution also bans conventional arms sale as well as the delivery of aviation and rocket fuel to Pyongyang.

"The unanimous adoption by the UN Security Council of Resolution 2270 (2016) is a clear expression of the unity and resolve of the international community to uphold the global non-proliferation regime and to target DPRK's illegal nuclear, WMD and ballistic missile programmes and its ability to finance them," the statement reads.

Mogherini branded North Korea's nuclear and ballistic tests "a grave threat to international peace and security in the region and beyond."

"The EU will swiftly transpose this resolution into EU law and will consider whether additional autonomous restrictive measures are called for to complement this Resolution," Mogherini pointed out.

She stressed that Pyongyang must respect its international obligations and reengage with international community through the Six-Party Talks format.

In 2003, North Korea joined talks on denuclearization with the United States, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea, after Pyongyang withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that it ratified in 1985.

Pyongyang declared itself a nuclear power in 2005, and tested its first nuclear weapon the following year. The six-party denuclearization talks came to a halt in 2009, when Pyongyang tested its second nuclear weapon, and have been stalled ever since.

In early January, Pyongyang said that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. The following month, North Korea fired a long-range rocket to allegedly place a satellite into orbit in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions.