13 Nov 2018 14:24

Nazarbayev calls for intensified nuclear disarmament dialogue

ASTANA. Nov 13 (Interfax) - Nuclear powers should resume talks on reducing their arsenals, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

"Nuclear powers should establish a trustful dialogue for the purpose of strategic security. Unfortunately, trust has weakened. Talks on further reduction of nuclear arsenals and nuclear-free zones need to be intensified," Nazarbayev said at a meeting of the Astana Club on Tuesday.

He went on to discuss the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"Despite the existence of this treaty, certain countries we all know have acquired nuclear weapons [...], and no sanctions have been imposed on treaty breakers. Several countries turned into nuclear powers after the treaty was adopted; we know who they are," Nazarbayev said.

Kazakhstan volunteered to get rid of its nuclear weapons; as a leader of the global anti-nuclear movement, it is again urging the international community to build a nuclear-free world, he said.