Cairo: Egypt on Saturday affirmed the necessity to clear the Middle East of nuclear arms, pledging to pursue efforts to attain this goal. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, renewed the call for global enforcement of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), emphasizing the necessity for all regional countries to join the NPT. It also highlighted the importance of avoiding double standards in dealing with nuclear programs in the Middle East to prevent mounting tension in the region.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the statement was made as part of preparations for the general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), scheduled to be held in Vienna from September 15-19. The conference reflects global concerns about monitoring nuclear programs in the region and ensuring that concerned countries honor their obligations as stipulated by the NPT.
Egypt has consistently supported efforts to make the Middle East free of nuclear arms since the launch of the initiative in 1974 within the UN framework.