We condemn in the strongest possible terms yesterday’s illegal launch of several short-range ballistic missiles by North Korea. The firing of these missiles in the direction of Japan came just two days after North Korea’s failed satellite launch using ballistic missile technology. In recent months, North Korea has carried out several tests of short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles, including attempts to launch satellites using ballistic missiles, thus repeatedly violating the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. By doing so, North Korea is blatantly endangering security both in the East Asia region and worldwide.

Moreover, the delivery of North Korean missiles to Russia and the use of these missiles by Russia in Ukraine represent a violation of international law and a threat to European security.

We urge North Korea to refrain from further missile launches, to cease illegal arms supplies to Russia and to abide by its obligations under international law. Furthermore, we call on North Korea to accept the offers of talks put forward by the United States and South Korea and to enter into serious negotiations on the dismantling of its illegal nuclear and missile programmes. North Korea is under an obligation to completely, verifiably and irreversibly end its programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.