BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) — The North Atlantic Council strongly condemns the announced North Korean (DPRK) nuclear and ballistic missile tests on 25 May 2009.

These irresponsible actions by Pyongyang pose a serious challenge to peace, security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and are being universally condemned by the international community. This provocative action of Pyongyang’s occurs during a period when the international community is seriously debating important new steps in global arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

Once again, the Alliance calls upon Pyongyang to fulfil its international obligations. The NAC urges North Korea to implement fully all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and to eliminate its nuclear weapons and related programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. We call upon Pyongyang to refrain from any other actions which could contribute to raising tensions and to restore dialogue within the Six-Party framework. The Alliance will continue to carefully monitor developments with deep concern.