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PRESS RELEASE

NYPM 014-2010

3 May 2010

ROMULO, CLINTON REAFFIRM IMPORTANCE OF FINDING
INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS IN 2010 NPT REVCON

NEW YORK—Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo and United States Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton met here on Monday to reaffirm the importance of finding consensus during the 2010 Review Conference of the States-Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to finally move the stalled nuclear disarmament agenda forward.

In a statement, the Philippine Mission to the United Nations said Secretary Romulo was assured by Secretary Clinton of the support of the United States in helping ensure a positive outcome to the month-long review conference being chaired by Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

 “Secretary Clinton thanked the Philippines for its efforts in moving the disarmament agenda forward and recognized the important role played by Ambassador Cabactulan as President of the 2010 NPT Review Conference,” Secretary Romulo said.

Secretary Romulo and Secretary Clinton met on the sidelines of the 2010 NPT Review Conference that began at the UN Headquarters on Monday. The review, which takes place every five years, will attempt to make progress on the implementation of the provisions of the 40-year old treaty that seeks to contain the spread of nuclear weapons.

Saying the Philippines would like to be able to make a contribution to the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation process, Secretary Romulo said he and Secretary Clinton agreed to work together in convincing other States-Parties to support efforts that would lead to the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons.

Secretary Romulo also cited the positive steps taken by the United States in advancing the disarmament agenda, particularly the recent signing of the new START Treaty with the Russian Federation, the recent Nuclear Security Summit hosted by President Obama and the recent policy shifts in the US Nuclear Posture Review.

In response, Secretary Clinton underscored the importance Washington places on strengthening the NPT, citing how the US Government is working hard in making its nuclear program more transparent and in reducing its nuclear stockpile as well as in providing assistance to countries wishing to use nuclear energy.

“We hope that these initiatives would be useful in developing a consensus in the 2010 Review Conference,” Secretary Romulo said. ###

Reference:

ELMER G. CATO 
First Secretary & Press Officer 
Philippine Mission to the United Nations 
556 Fifth Avenue, Fifth Floor 
New York, New York 10036 
Tel. No. 212.764.1300 Extension 38