OREANDA-NEWS. Council of the European Union adopt conclusions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

1. The Council strongly condemns the nuclear tests and multiple ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 2016. They represent a serious threat to international peace and security and undermine the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime of which the EU has been a steadfast supporter for decades. The DPRK's ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile-related activities are in clear violation of its international obligations under multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, including Resolution 2270 (2016), imposing further sanctions on the DPRK after its 4th nuclear test on 6 January 2016.

2. The Council underlines that these irresponsible and illegal actions increase tensions on the Korean Peninsula to the detriment of all. The Council is concerned by the DPRK's development of nuclear weapons which is bound to seriously aggravate the security situation in Asia and beyond. These actions also underline the necessity of universalisation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

3. The Council calls again on the DPRK to re-engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community, in particular in the framework of the 6 Party Talks, and to cease its provocations.

4. The Council expresses grave concern at the DPRK's diversion of resources toward developing its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes without regard for humanitarian situation and the hardship that the DPRK people are subjected to.

5. The Council urges the DPRK to abide by all its international obligations and abandon its nuclear weapons, other WMD and existing nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes, in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, and cease immediately all related activities.

6. In light of the above, the Council welcomes the unanimous adoption by the UNSC of Resolution 2321 (2016) condemning the DPRK's 5th nuclear test on 9 September 2016 and imposing new restrictive measures. The Council stands ready to enhance coordination with international partners on the full implementation of relevant UNSC resolutions.

7. The Council recalls the Union's determination to combat proliferation and remains fully committed to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, including through the consideration of new restrictive measures.