Turkey is disappointed to be informed of the decision to postpone the international Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, which the 2010 Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty had foreseen to be organized this year.

It is Turkey’s sincere expectation that the Conference takes place at the earliest convenience, since this initiative would represent not only an important confidence building measure at this critical stage in the Middle East, but also a significant stimulus to the NPT Review Process.

To this end, we call on all states to adopt a constructive approach and deploy genuine efforts for the organization of the Conference at the earliest convenience.

Turkey appreciates and continues to fully support the efforts of the Facilitator, Ambassador Jaakko Laajava of Finland, and his team.