CTBTO Executive Secretary Seeks To Discuss N.Korean Denuclearization With Russia's Lavrov

 CTBTO Executive Secretary Seeks to Discuss N.Korean Denuclearization With Russia's Lavrov

Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Lassina Zerbo told Sputnik Monday that he would seek to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula at his forthcoming meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

SOCHI (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Lassina Zerbo told Sputnik Monday that he would seek to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula at his forthcoming meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"When we have problems, Minister Lavrov has always come to the rescue, always as I come is to see where he can help. Two years ago I was asking Foreign Minister Lavrov to bring the CTBT into the discussion of the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal]. I think today again, it is to see how we can get the CTBTO injected in the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] nuclear problem solution," Zerbo said on the sidelines of the 15th annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club.

He added that his talks with Lavrov would aim to find a way to involve the CTBT in the search for a solution to the North Korean problem.

"When I say a 'solution,' I mean the political one first, because the DPRK is a country that has challenged the norm against nuclear testing in the 21st century. So if we solve the problem to ban nuclear tests on the peninsula, I think, how can we do it without bringing the notion of the CTBT? That's something that needs to be discussed," Zerbo said.

The CTBTO executive secretary also praised Lavrov for his cooperation on the CTBT.

"During my term and time at the CTBT, foreign minister Lavrov has been the foreign minister that I have seen the most, because he has been welcoming, he has been open to discussion with us, he has been a great supporter of the CTBT, and he has been an advocate of security and peace," Zerbo said.

The situation on the Korean peninsula has significantly improved over the past few months, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in having held several meetings. In June, Kim also reached an agreement with US President Donald Trump, stipulating that North Korea would make efforts to promote complete denuclearization of the peninsula in exchange for US-South Korean military drills' freeze and a potential removal of US sanctions.