MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The report recommending negotiations to start in 2017 was expected to be passed without objection but Australia demanded that it be put to vote, the Guardian reported, citing UN documents.
The proposal was approved by 68 nations, with 22 opposing and 13 abstaining, at last Friday’s presentation in Geneva, the outlet said.
But Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on its official website that, although a blanket ban is "emotionally appealing," the Australian government "does not believe disarmament can be imposed in this way."
The Department cited alleged nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran as reasons for keeping the nuclear deterrent in place for now.
Despite, Australia's objection the UN text is expected to be tabled at the UN General Assembly next year, which will give a go-ahead to formal negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear arms ban.
