Statement by H.E. Mr. Paul Teesalu
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
High Level Segment of the 2019 Plenary Session of the Conference on Disarmament
Geneva, 26 February 2019
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Thank you, Mr President,
At the outset, let me congratulate you on assuming the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament (CD). You can count on my delegation´s full support. I would also like to extend my best wishes to other Presidents of the 2019 session.
Mr President, distinguished delegates,
The current global security environment has become increasingly severe and unpredictable. The security threats we face today are more complex than ever – conventional use of military force, the proliferation and even use of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, violent extremism, malicious cyber activities and hybrid threats. Unfortunately, erosion of the rules and treaty based international security order has contributed to these threats evolving. Over the past years, we have witnessed that long-standing core principles of international law have been disregarded and international obligations have been violated.
We share the view by the Secretary- General that there is an urgent need for greater international efforts to achieve a safer world and collectively respond to global and regional security challenges. For this purpose, it is essential to continue to uphold and strengthen the existing multilateral security architecture. Effectiveness and viability of non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament regimes require that rules are followed and agreements are fully complied with, implemented and enforced by all the parties.
Mr President,
The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction remains one of the most serious concerns for international peace and security. The repeated use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic and in the United Kingdom last year have gravely undermined the universal prohibition against the use of such weapons. It is vital to maintain and further advance the global norm prohibiting chemical weapons and enhance the effectiveness of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). We therefore regret that there was no consensual outcome of the Fourth Review Conference of the Convention. However, we attach great importance to the decision of the Special Session of the Conference of States Parties of the Convention last June to improve the OPCW’s capacity of identifying the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons and to develop a universal attribution mechanism.
The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty has constituted a key instrument of strategic stability and the nuclear non-proliferation and arms control foundations for the last three decades. We find it regrettable that the Russian Federation decided to suspend its obligations under the Treaty rather than addressing its non-compliance during the next months.
We note with concern that the proliferation of missile technology remains a serious challenge. In this regard, we believe that the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Hague Code of Conduct play an important role in preventing missile proliferation. We believe that Estonia’s membership in the MTCR would strengthen the regime and international non-proliferation efforts. We also strongly speak for the membership of all EU Member States in the MTCR, since they all meet the highest standards and criteria set by the regime.
Entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty is yet another challenge. We support international efforts towards this end and urge all States to sign and ratify the Treaty without further delay. We welcome Zimbabwe´s ratification of the Treaty this year.
Lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula could only be achieved through peaceful means. We welcome the ongoing diplomatic efforts with the DPRK that have contributed to easing tensions. However, until the DPRK does not follow concrete steps towards complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation, all States must continue strictly enforcing existing sanctions. We call upon the DPRK to return to the compliance with its international obligations under the UN Security Council Resolutions.
We also underline the need for Iran to continue abiding strictly by all its nuclear-related commitments and to cooperate fully with the IAEA under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
Mr President,
Estonia recognises that cyber security has become a crucial issue in the context of international peace and security. The role and involvement of the UN seeking a consensus on norms of responsible state behaviour are increasingly relevant. Estonia has been a member of four UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) and over the years, the GGEs have reached consensus on a number of recommendations, which the General Assembly has repeatedly endorsed. Estonia supports further development of a strategic framework for conflict prevention and stability in cyberspace that is based on international law, in particular the UN Charter, the development and implementation of universal norms of responsible state behaviour and regional confidence-building measures.
We share the view of maintaining a safe, secure, and sustainable outer space. Thus, preventing an arms race in outer space and preventing outer space from becoming another area of conflict are essential for strengthening of international security and stability. While not excluding the possibility of negotiating a legally binding norm that is comprehensive, effective and verifiable in the future, we believe that first, nations should agree on voluntary principles of responsible behaviour in outer space.
Mr President,
As we approach the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) already next year, we have to do our utmost to uphold and further reinforce its role as a major multilateral instrument of international security. Since its entry into force in 1970, the NPT has been a cornerstone of the global efforts to pursue nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful use of nuclear energy. Estonia shares the ultimate goal of a world without nuclear weapons and continues to advocate for the “Progressive Approach” to be pursued in a realistic and responsible way. To this end, Estonia supports the commencement of the negotiations within the Conference on Disarmament on the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT). We welcome the report presented by the High-level FMCT expert preparatory group, where Estonian expert also actively participated. We hope that the CD will use this opportunity to take on the valuable outcome of the work of the Group in order to start negotiations to further advance the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. I hereby would like to voice our strong wish to take part in the future negotiations and to reiterate Estonia’s request to participate fully and equally in the disarmament discussions as a full member of the CD. The Conference on Disarmament has a central role to negotiate multilateral disarmament treaties according to its mandate. We believe that such negotiations, as the FMCT, and discussions on matters of global importance must be addressed in universally representative bodies and should include all sovereign states, who wish to be part of it. Estonia´s membership application from the year 2001 is still valid, pending the decision of the CD on its enlargement.
Mr President,
This year marks 40 years since the establishment of the Conference on Disarmament. Efforts to bring the CD back on track will continue to require sustained political will from all CD members. We encourage the CD to make further efforts in order to break the impasse. We would like to extend our warm thanks to the Ambassador of Ukraine and his team for the work in seeking consensus on this year’s draft program of work. However, we also share your pragmatic view, Mr President, that there is a lot of merit in building on and deepening the discussions of last year. The establishment of subsidiary bodies on four core issues would create more understanding in each other’s positions and would allow more structured and technical discussions throughout the year. We also welcome your proposal to appoint two special coordinators: on new and emerging technologies and on CD working methods and membership. The CD should keep up with the latest developments in science and technology and we believe that discussions on these topics, while avoiding duplications with other fora, would be beneficial. We have also long called for the nomination of a Special Rapporteur to review the issue of membership and we are convinced that the advancement of the membership issue could become an achievement for the Conference and ensure its relevance.
Finally, running for the UN Security Council for the period of 2020-21 demonstrates Estonia’s long-term commitment to take more responsibility in promoting international peace and security, and offer a small state´s perspective. Estonia remains fully committed to the rules and treaty based multilateral system, effective implementation of non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control instruments and to international efforts to revitalize multilateral negotiating bodies, in particular the Conference on Disarmament.
Thank you, Mr President.