Statement delivered by Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Mr Johan Forssell, 27 February 2023.
President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
I am pleased to address the Conference on Disarmament at this year’s high-level segment.
Sweden fully aligns itself with the statement to be delivered on behalf of the European Union. I would like to make the following national remarks.
President,
The Conference on Disarmament has seen great achievements in the past. Among them are some of the most crucial treaties of the international disarmament and non-proliferation architecture.
Yet, for well over two decades the CD has not seen any major negotiations take place. In fact, the CD has neither been able to agree on its own Programme of Work, nor reach consensus on updating the Rules of Procedure.
These shortcomings are not due to a lack of ideas or a lack of trying. It is due to the lack of political will.
Let us try and break the current impasse and allow the Conference to advance on substance.
President,
Sweden has a long-standing commitment to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. We deeply regret that the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was not able to adopt a final outcome document due to one country blocking consensus.
The NPT remains the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture and past obligations and commitments remain valid. Progress must be made in all three pillars if we are to uphold and strengthen the international regime.
We must not take the NPT for granted. We must harness the strength of our joint commitments and build on prior achievements during this 11th Review Cycle. The upcoming meeting of the Preparatory Committee, later this year, is an opportunity we must seize.
Areas such as risk reduction, nuclear verification, transparency and accountability should be further explored. Concrete steps in these areas have the potential to provide a basis for results even in the current security environment.
By working in collaboration with others, including through the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament, Sweden is continuing to pursue the common goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.
President,
International peace and security is the responsibility of all states. Yet, Nuclear Weapons States bear a special responsibility for nuclear arms control and disarmament. We recognize the constructive approach taken by the US, UK and France to avoid nuclear escalation. We welcome the efforts of the US to resume activities within the New START Treaty and to launch negotiations on a new arms control framework. At the same time, we deeply regret the announcement that Russia suspends its engagement in the Treaty and we call on Russia to reconsider its decision.
President,
Sweden is strongly committed to strengthening international security and safety in space. We welcome the work of the Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats as a pragmatic and constructive step in building common understanding on what constitutes responsible behaviour. Agreeing on voluntary norms is the best way forward at this moment, without excluding the possibility of future legally binding measures.
President,
As we stand here today, we bear witness to a dark chapter in Europe’s history. Just over a year ago, on 24 February 2022, Russia launched its illegal and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.
Russia’s flagrant violations of international law, including the UN Charter, and its irresponsible nuclear rhetoric are unacceptable. We are horrified by Russia’s systematic violation of international humanitarian law, including the continued targeting of civilians and civilian objects – crimes for which there can be no impunity.
Sweden condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and for Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence. Sweden will be a long term partner to Ukraine for as long as it takes. Politically, economically and military.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has dramatically deteriorated the international security environment and set into motion a series of consequences that have had severe and world-wide repercussions, shaking the foundation of the system that was designed to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”.
President,
Global challenges can only be dealt with successfully through effective multilateralism and a respect for the rules-based international order. Sweden will continue to do what it can to protect and promote the integrity and stability of the international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. We will continue to stand up for the right of civil society to make their voices heard.
We have the political will. I hope you have too.
Thank you.