Vatican City, 20 September 2014 (VIS) –
Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, under secretary for Relations with
States, attended the 58th General Conference of the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), held in Vienna yesterday. He began his
address by emphasising that the Holy See commends and supports all
the activities of the IAEA, which contribute to “authentic human
development and foster peace and prosperity throughout the world”,
and remarked that, in relation to the Agency's significant
achievements, “the Holy See believes that improved public awareness
and recognition ... would come about through a greater use of the
modern means of communication and a deeper cooperation with civic and
political authorities”. Moreover, he added, “we believe that
these activities … are compatible with Pope Francis' call for
fraternity, articulated in his 2014 Message for the World Day of
Peace”.
He went on to stress that the
prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons is “paramount
for all humankind. Yet the attainment of this objective cannot be the
final word with regard to peace: special emphasis must be given to
worldwide nuclear disarmament. This must be a goal for all states,
especially for those who possess nuclear weapons or who want to
develop or acquire them. Furthermore it is a goal which ought not to
be considered unrealistic. The reality of peace unquestionably
requires a change of course which can be accomplished by
decision-making which is clear and firm, and by a willingness to seek
and achieve nuclear disarmament. As in years past, the Holy See urges
governments and scientific experts engaged in the field of military
defence to work strenuously towards such disarmament”. He commented
that this year is the centenary of the outbreak of the First World
War, and the seventy-fifth of the Second World War, conflicts whose
terrible consequences we still experience to this day.
Archbishop Camilleri turned his
attention to the great worldwide interest in ensuring the enhancement
and improvement of nuclear safety since the accident at the Fukushima
Daiichi power plants in March 2011. “This is the path that must be
pursued: doing everything humanly possible to prevent accidents at
nuclear facilities and minimising any consequences should an accident
occur”. He concluded by confirming that the Holy See delegation
“wishes to encourage and support the efforts and innovative
approaches tht concern the management and safe disposal of
radioactive waste”, and reiterated the great importance attached by
the Holy See to the successful cooperation of the IAEA with other
United Nations organisations such as the WHO and the FAO.
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