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North Korea must abandon destructive nuke missile programme: EU

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ANI Brussels [Belgium]
Last Updated : Sep 03 2017 | 11:42 PM IST

The European Union on Sunday said North Korea must abandon its destructive nuclear missile programme.

North Korea announced on Sunday that it has successfully conducted a test of a Hydrogen Bomb that is meant to be loaded into an intercontinental ballistic missile.

This invited sharp reactions from around the world.

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, said that North Korea's nuclear test gravely violates its obligations under international law.

"The DPRK's latest nuclear test gravely violates DPRK's obligations under international law, repeated demands from the UN Security Council and the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime. It compels the international community to unite in swift and decisive reaction," Tusk said in a statement.

He asked North Korea to "abandon its nuclear, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, it must cease all related activities at once".

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He said the EU stands ready to sharpen its policy of sanctions and invites North Korea to restart dialogue on its programmes without condition.

"We call on the UN Security Council to adopt further UN sanctions and show stronger resolve to achieve a peaceful denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. The stakes are getting too high," Tusk said.

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday termed North Korea a 'rogue nation' for conducting nuclear test and said its 'actions continue to be very dangerous to the Washington'.

In a series of tweets, Trump further said that North Korea has become a great threat and embarrassment to China.

"North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States," he tweeted.

Earlier, Trump had also a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and agreed to have close cooperation between their countries to put pressure on North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile program, the White House has announced.

Earlier in the day, India also deplored the nuclear test and called upon North Korea to refrain from such actions which adversely impact peace and stability in the region and beyond.

In a statement, India expressed concern over the nuclear test and said that the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has once again acted in violation of its international commitments."

Earlier, China also condemned North Korea for ignoring international condemnation of its atomic weapons programme.

"North Korea has ignored the international community's widespread opposition, again carrying out a nuclear test. China's government expresses resolute opposition and strong condemnation toward this", the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

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First Published: Sep 03 2017 | 11:28 PM IST

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