Speaking before the United Nations in New York on Monday evening, Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey described nuclear weapons as “immoral and illegal”.
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Calmy-Rey’s speech was part of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Swiss foreign ministry called for a firm plan of action for nuclear disarmament.
It said that until now, efforts to disarm had enjoyed only modest results.
In her speech, Calmy-Rey said that nuclear weapons are weapons of “extinction” and that they breach the foundations of international humanitarian law.
She announced that parallel to the conference, she intends to present a study drawing attention to the humanitarian aspect of nuclear war.
Held every five years, the NPT review conference runs until May 28.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.