“Today’s missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is a further unacceptable violation of the DPRK’s international obligations as determined by multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions” – says the statement of the European External Action Service.

“Following repeated calls of the entire international community, including by the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on 21 November 2017, this launch represents a further grave provocation, and a serious threat to international security.”

“The European Union’s message is unequivocal: the DPRK must abandon its nuclear, weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner, immediately cease all related activities and return to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the IAEA Safeguards.”

“The EU sanctions’ regime towards the DPRK is currently the most restrictive in operation. On 16 October EU Foreign Ministers adopted yet a further package of additional EU autonomous measures that go beyond those decided by the United Nations.”

“The DPRK must engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue, aimed at pursuing the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and the full implementation of all relevant UN Security Council resolutions.”