Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Entry into Force of the IAEA Additional Protocol in 15 European Countries

May 4, 2004

Japan welcomes the entry into force on April 30 (Fri) of the Additional Protocols between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), and each of 15 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.).
Believing that the universalization of the Additional Protocol is the most realistic and effective means of strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation regime, Japan has actively promoted the universalization of the Additional Protocol by cooperating with the IAEA Secretariat and others. In this light, Japan regards it as significant that the Additional Protocols have entered into force for the European countries, which include two nuclear-weapon states and states with large scale nuclear activities.
Japan hopes that all countries will conclude the Additional Protocol as soon as possible to strengthen the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

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