Japan Press Weekly

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2014 September 17 - 23 TOP3 [POLITICS]

ICAPP calls for prompt start of negotiations on nuclear weapons convention

The eighth International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, adopted a declaration on September 20 calling on the international community to promptly launch negotiations on a nuclear weapons convention. This declaration reflects the proposal which the Japanese Communist Party submitted to the ICAPP office in advance.

On the first day of the conference, September 19, JCP Chair Shii Kazuo delivered an address. He stated that it is important that regional frameworks for peace such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) have been developing on the Asian continent. Introducing the JCP’s initiative to create peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia, he expressed his hope of resolving international disputes through building a new framework for peace in that region.

Shii also noted that the next NPT Review Conference is to take place in May 2015, the 70th year of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He said to participants, “In order to make the year of 2015 a major turning point toward a nuclear weapon-free world, let’s appeal to the global community to start negotiations on a nuclear weapons convention as early as possible.”

Chung Eui-Yong, co-chair of the ICAPP, thanked Shii, saying that his remarks were timely as well as in line with the theme of the conference.

Meanwhile, the JCP chair met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of the largest opposition United National Party.

Past related article:
> JCP will send delegation to ICAPP in Sri Lanka [September 12, 2014]