United Nations, 26 September (RHC)-- . Cuba participated in the commemoration of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, held on Thursday on the sidelines of the High-level Segment of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, recalled that this commemoration is an important initiative promoted by the Non-Aligned Movement, of which the island is a founding member.

He also recalled that Latin America is the first Nuclear Weapons Free Zone created in a densely populated area, as well as the first to be proclaimed a Zone of Peace; while Cuba itself is the fifth State Party to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, whose ratification he called for.

The Cuban Foreign Minister reiterated his willingness to work together with the international community to strengthen and consolidate multilateralism and promote a world free of nuclear weapons, as a firm commitment to safeguard new generations from the scourge of war.

At the same time, it reaffirmed the right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy without discrimination, taking into account its contribution and that of nuclear technology to the socio-economic development of nations.

“The total elimination of nuclear weapons must be the highest priority in the field of disarmament, while their possession cannot be justified under any concept or security doctrine,” he said.

In his remarks, Rodríguez Parrilla rejected the decision of the United States government to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JAP) or Nuclear Agreement with Iran and from the Short and Intermediate Range Missile Treaty signed with the former Soviet Union in 1987, which violates the rules of coexistence among States and has serious consequences for international stability and security. 

He noted that the United States is the nation with the greatest number of nuclear weapons ready for use, with more than 46% of the world total.