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Germany and Sweden have joined forces to find ways to get the nuclear powers of the world to disarm. The foreign ministers met in Stockholm for a discussion about the future ahead of next month’s review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Baerbock has been in talks with her Swedish counterpart Ann Linde and met with the Stockholm Initiative, a group of 16 countries seeking to get rid of nuclear weapons.
Baerbock stated, “Our common goal is clear: A world without atomic weapons,” during a press conference together with Linde.
“Our message to the review conference will be clear: Nuclear weapons countries have to push ahead with nuclear disarmament,” read a statement from the initiative, calling for an irreversible, transparent end to nuclear weapons subject to oversight.
Baerbock reiterates Germany’s commitment
Germany’s top diplomat stated that the anti-armament movement needed “urgently new momentum” and promised that Europe would play a key part in creating a “safe planet.”
Baerbock confirmed the new governing coalition of her Green Party (SPD) and the neoliberal Free Democrats, (FDP), would be seeking to join the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty(AVV), as an observer.
She stated that summits should not be used to just talk but to create concrete change.
The foreign minister stated that “We cannot afford another conference without tangible results.”
To that end she praised leaders, activists, and others for creating a plan “to protect the world from nuclear weapons step by. She said that the summit was designed to ensure that this path is followed.
Baerbock’s remarks were made in light of the US withdrawing from several major disarmament agreements in recent years, including the landmark INF agreement which was dissolved in 2019. At the time, President Donald Trump had accused Moscow of not following the rules of the treaty.
There is only one US-Russian nuclear non-proliferation deal. The New Start Strategic Disarmament Treaty allows both countries’ nuclear arsenals to contain 800 delivery systems each and 1,550 deployable nukes.
Germany condemns Russia over climate veto
On the sidelines of the conference in Sweden, Baerbock criticized Russia on Tuesday for blocking UN efforts to tackle climate change.
Russia, which is a permanent UN Security Council member and has the right to veto, blocked the passage of an important resolution to combat climate change. Moscow argued that the proposal was the result of countries that have done most to damage the climate, and is now seeking sanctions against those who have done less.
Baerbock described the move as “regrettable” and stated that it was entirely within the UN security Council’s purview, because “we are able to see worldwide, just like we see in Europe,” how the climate crisis is exacerbating conflicts.
The Green Party politician called climate changes “a driver” for violence in “areas that have already been fragile.”
India, which doesn’t have veto power at all, voted down the resolution, while China abstained.
kb, es/fb (AFP, dpa)
