HAVANA, Nov 23 (NNN-ACN) — Cuba and the EU concluded the 3rd edition of the political dialogue on “Disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction” and “Illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and other conventional weapons”, which took place in virtual format, the Cuban foreign ministry (MINREX by its Spanish acronym) reported.
According to the report, the talks, which took place in the context of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between Cuba and the Eurogroup, allowed for exchanges on different issues of common interest on the multilateral agenda of disarmament, arms control and international security.
The Cuban side reiterated its firm commitment to nuclear disarmament as the highest priority in matters of disarmament and, in this context, stressed the relevance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force last year.
Cuba reaffirmed its pride in belonging to the first region in the world to proclaim itself a Zone of Peace, the text, published Tuesday on the official website of the MINREX, noted.
Other serious emerging challenges were also discussed, such as the development of autonomous lethal weapons systems and the use of cyberspace for hostile and military purposes.
They also discussed the effects caused by the criminal and illegal economic, commercial and financial blockade of the government of the United States against Cuba, which hinders the full, effective and non-discriminatory application of the provisions on international cooperation provided for in the Chemical Weapons and Biological Weapons Conventions, among other treaties.
The Cuban delegation was headed by Rodolfo Benitez Verson, general director of multilateral affairs and international law of MINREX, and the European delegation was headed by ambassador Marjolijn van Deelen, EU special envoy for disarmament and non-proliferation. — NNN-ACN
