Latvia condemns Russia's aggressive nuclear rhetorics

RIGA - The 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was held in New York, US, at the beginning of the week, at which the State Secretary of the Latvian Foreign Ministry, Andrejs Vilumsons, condemned Russia's aggressive nuclear rhetorics, LETA was informed by the ministry.

Viļumsons was on a working visit to New York from Monday to Wednesday, where he attended the NPT Review Conference and UN Security Council meetings on maritime security and the Middle East. During his visit, the Secretary of State met with the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, officials from Ukraine, Vietnam and Singapore, as well as ambassadors from several UN Security Council and other UN Member States.

At the NPT Review Conference, the Secretary of State presented Latvia's national statement in support of strengthening the credibility and integrity of the Treaty. He stressed that Russia's irresponsible behavior in ignoring its arms control and non-proliferation commitments seriously undermines the norms that limit the likelihood of nuclear war. The Secretary of State emphasized risk mitigation and the promotion of transparency in order to move towards progressive denuclearization.

Vilumsons also represented Latvia at the UN Security Council open debates on maritime security and the Middle East. The State Secretary emphasised that safe and open sea lanes are essential to the global economy, and that deliberate disruptions by states pose serious risks to international security, supply chains, and the environment, condemning Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

He highlighted the need to strictly adhere to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to strengthen multilateral cooperation to effectively address threats such as sanctions circumvention, "shadow fleet" and sabotage against critical infrastructure. Latvia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international efforts to ensure free and safe maritime navigation. At the meeting on the Middle East, the State Secretary expressed support for ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the region by mitigating the destabilising influence of Iran and the militant groups it supports.

In a meeting with Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the State Secretary emphasised that, despite current geopolitical challenges, it is important for the UN to remain the cornerstone of a rules-based international order, and for the legitimacy of the international system to be grounded in adherence to the principles of the UN Charter. The officials discussed steps toward securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and approaches to the crisis in the Middle East, as well as other priority issues on the UN Security Council’s agenda.

During talks with Oleksandr Mishchenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine; Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam; and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Minister of State of Singapore, as well as with the Permanent Representatives to the UN from several UN Security Council members and UN Member States, the main focus was on the important role of multilateral cooperation in strengthening a rules-based international order, as well as issues related to bilateral relations, including support for Ukraine and Russian disinformation activities, opportunities for cooperation on consular matters, and candidacies in international organisations. In addition, the State Secretary expressed Latvia’s desire to strengthen ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

During the visit, the State Secretary also participated in a high-level panel discussion on the nexus between climate, peace, and security at the Berlin Climate and Security Conference-New York, organised by Germany and the think tank adelphi global. In the discussion, the State Secretary noted that climate change increases risks and affects stability, particularly in fragile contexts, and highlighted Latvia’s contribution to raising awareness of these challenges and fostering understanding of them within the Security Council.

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. The essence of the Treaty is embodied in its three pillars: the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons; general and complete nuclear disarmament; and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. To assess progress in the field of nuclear non-proliferation, NPT Review Conferences are held every five years.