Egypt urges Israel to join NPT

Foreign Minister Amr Moussa asserted that Israel accession to the treaty is a must, if stability, safety, and security, in the region, are to be maintained.

In light of the Egyptian stance and Israeli opposition to the universality of NPT , Moussa pointed out that Israel is the only country that has not signed or joined the treaty.

As for the indications from NPT Review Conference, things are going in the context of an international Understanding.

Moussa added that Israel is the only country that has not acceded, and should be called on for joining. He asserted there are mounting international expectations in this respect.

He clarified that the Egyptian delegation to the United Nations is following up this issue very closely and has specific instructions in this context.

Moussa said we are talking about this issue, the nuclear one, not in the framework of the peace process, the Arab-Israeli conflict, or the Arab-Israeli settlement but in the context of maintaining security and safety in the region.

Foreign Minister Moussa reiterated the Egyptian stance in view of freeing the Middle East region from weapons of mass destruction.

On Israel's declartion that it would not sign the Treaty in the near future and that it would continue indefinitely with its nuclear blackout policy, Moussa said that Arab states would then continue with their counter policies for the same duration.