Blanár Urges Reduction of Nuclear Weapons

On the World Day for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár emphasized the urgent need to reduce nuclear arsenals globally, rather than escalate them. In a statement shared on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs' Facebook page, Blanár reflected on the somber anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, which resulted in the deaths of over 110,000 people. He underscored that the catastrophic consequences of these events serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by nuclear weapons. Blanár reiterated Slovakia's commitment to international nuclear disarmament efforts, highlighting the country's support for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its status as a signatory to key treaties, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. He noted that these treaties have significantly contributed to the reduction of nuclear tests worldwide and the establishment of an effective International Monitoring System to detect potential nuclear activities. The minister pointed out that there are currently 300 monitoring stations and laboratories globally, which not only help in nuclear oversight but also provide valuable data for disaster warnings, such as tsunamis. Blanár concluded by advocating for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, emphasizing its potential benefits in fields like medicine, energy, and scientific research, provided it is directed towards constructive purposes.