Statement by CTBTO Head Lassina Zerbo on the Agreement between Iran and the E3/EU +3 group of countries

15 July 2015 The Executive Secretary of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Lassina Zerbo, issued the following statement on the agreement reached in Vienna, Austria, on 14 July 2015 between Iran and the E3/EU+3 group of countries.

“I am very pleased that an agreement was reached between Iran and the E3/EU+3 group of countries. The agreement is a significant milestone that offers a new opportunity for progress on non-proliferation and disarmament issues. I congratulate Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union on this historic accomplishment. I hope that this will build confidence in the region for creating the conditions for further ratifications of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.”

Background on the CTBT
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) bans all nuclear explosions everywhere, by everyone. The CTBTO is building an International Monitoring System to make sure that no nuclear explosion goes undetected. Currently, around 90% of this network has been established. Overall, 183 States have signed the Treaty of which 164 have also ratified. For the CTBT to enter into force, it must be signed and ratified by 44 specific States. The remaining eight States are: China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan and the United States.

For further information on the CTBT, please see www.ctbto.org - your resource on ending nuclear testing,
or contact:

Elisabeth Wächter,
Chief of Public Information T    +43 1 26030 6375 
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