The aims of the NPT are a safer world for all without nuclear weapons, and access for all to the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

The statement was signed by The Foreign Secretary David Miliband and the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during David Miliband's recent visit to the region.

Read the statement

We, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, recognize the vital role of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in addressing the key security challenges of the 21St century, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to work together to achieve its goals: a safer world for all without nuclear weapons, and access for all to the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

We welcome multilateral efforts aimed at reinforcing the NPT, most recently the unanimous commitment expressed by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1887. The Russian Federation and United Kingdom will work closely with P5 and NPT partners to ensure that the forthcoming 2010 Review Conference reinvigorates and strengthens the NPT by agreeing a balanced action plan for its three mutually reinforcing pillars: non-proliferation, disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

We reaffirm the commitment of our two countries to seeking a safer world for all and, in cooperation with Non Nuclear-Weapons States, to creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons. We recognise that demonstrable progress on disarmament is vital to achieving international consensus on non-proliferation and that the Nuclear Weapons States must continue to take credible disarmament steps that will command the confidence of all the non-nuclear weapon states. Agreement before the end of this year on a new legally binding treaty to further reduce US and Russian strategic offensive arms will be a major contribution to this shared endeavour.

We believe that the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime must be advanced through a ban on the explosive testing of nuclear weapons, and a global cap on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices. To this end, we call for the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, and for the immediate start of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

The proliferation of nuclear weapons undermines the security of all nations. We reaffirm that all states must ensure strict compliance with their non-proliferation obligations under the NPT.

Recent developments have highlighted the need to give the IAEA additional powers of verification. We are committed to ensuring the IAEA has the necessary authority and capacity to assure compliance with non-proliferation obligations. We believe the Additional Protocol to the IAEA Safeguards Agreement must be set as the universally-recognised norm for verifying the implementation by NPT Parties of their non-proliferation obligations.

We will not overcome the twin challenges of climate change and the security of energy supply necessary for sustainable development without a wider use of nuclear energy. It is therefore paramount that the 2010 NPT Review Conference identifies viable ways of ensuring safe and secure access for all NPT Parties to the benefits of nuclear energy provided that they comply fully with their non-proliferation obligations. These initiatives should also ensure that the long-term development of civil nuclear power can take place in a culture of openness, transparency and confidence.

To meet these objectives, and to facilitate the development of nuclear energy without costly and technologically complex investment in nuclear fuel cycle capability, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom have presented proposals to the IAEA to provide guaranteed access to nuclear fuel supply services. The time is now right to move forward and establish mechanisms to meet the supply requirements of the future.

We reaffirm our support for the principle and practice of Nuclear Weapons Free Zones, which contribute greatly to strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime and to enhancing regional and international security.  We reiterate our willingness to pursue consultations with States Party to NWFZ Treaties where difficulties remain.

We reaffirm the intention of our countries to provide the necessary support to states in the Middle East to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime and create a zone free of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. We support confidence building measures leading to the implementation of the resolution on the establishment of this zone adopted at the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference.

By working together with P5 partners and with all States Party to the NPT we will ensure that the 2010 Review Conference succeeds in consolidating and strengthening the broader nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime to bring us closer to a safer world for all.

Notes for Editors

Read more about the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

Non-Proliferation Treaty - the Road to 2010

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