DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
S T A T E M E N T 
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                        2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                     Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-PS106-06                                                                                                                                                                                                                 12 October  2006
STATEMENT BY THE ASEAN CHAIRMAN ON NUCLEAR TESTS BY THE DPRK
12 October 2006 

At our meeting in Kuala Lumpur in July, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN emphasized that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is essential in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region.  We reaffirmed the importance of dialogue among all parties for the peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue. 

We are therefore deeply concerned by North Korea’s announcement that they have conducted a nuclear test. Such a test is inconsistent with the DPRK’s commitments under the Joint Statement of September 2005, and threatens the peace and security of East Asia. 

We therefore protest such testing, and strongly enjoin the DPRK to desist from conducting further tests, and appeal to all parties concerned to exercise restraint, and to refrain from taking action that will aggravate the tension.  We call on the DPRK to abide by the provisions of UNSC Resolution 1695, particularly on its return to the Six-Party Talks, to work towards the expeditious implementation of the 19 September 2005 Joint Statement, and to return at an early date to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.  END

/jay

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