Smith Urges Obama To Keep To His Promise And Eliminate Nuclear Weapons

President Obama called for a nuclear-free world in Prague in April 2009, and the UN Secretary-General has put forward a clear five point plan of action that would enable this objective to be achieved in a rational, safe and timely manner.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which has its five-yearly Review Conference this year, from 3-28 May, is a fundamental security agreement, vital to the interests of Europe and the rest of the world. It deals with preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and contains commitments on nuclear disarmament and nuclear energy. A total of 189 states have joined the Treaty, including the five Nuclear-Weapon States (i.e. United States, Russia, United Kingdom, France and China.)

Smith said:

"I wholeheartedly share Obama's vision of a nuclear free world and support his initiative to give nuclear disarmament new momentum. It is imperative that this momentum is shared and sustained in order to make the upcoming NPT Review Conference a success.

"MEPs should play a constructive role in promoting nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament and uphold the wishes of the majority of people in Europe and withdraw tactical nuclear weapons from Europe, hence I have added my signature to the letter of support."