Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the most recent discussions that have taken place with his European counterparts regarding the European and global response to North Korea's testing of a nuclear bomb and the UN sanctions levied against them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39483/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The announcement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 9 October that it had tested a nuclear explosive device was met with swift condemnation by members of the international community, including Ireland. I strongly condemned this provocative act by the DPRK as a threat to regional security and as running counter to the objectives of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

On 14 October, in clear recognition of the gravity of the DPRK's decision, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1718. This resolution obliged the international community to enforce specific sanctions, including an arms embargo, as well as a ban on any items which could contribute to the DPRK's nuclear, ballistic missile or Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) programmes.

At a meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 16 October, the EU committed itself to the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1718, as well as Resolution 1695, adopted in July in response to the DPRK's earlier controversial ballistic missile tests. A Common Position imposing restrictive measures against DPRK in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1718 was adopted by the Council on 20 November.

Specifically, the Common Position provides for a ban on exports of sensitive goods and technology which could contribute to the DPRK's nuclear-related, ballistic missile-related or other weapons of mass destruction-related programmes, and on the provision of related services; a ban on procurement of sensitive goods and technology from the DPRK; as well as a ban on exports of luxury goods and the freezing of funds and economic resources of persons, entities and bodies engaged in or providing support for the said DPRK programmes.

This regulation will enable EU partners to implement sanctions through their domestic law in a coherent manner. Preparatory inter-Departmental and inter-agency consultations are currently underway here, with a view to the early implementation of the necessary national measures.

Recent reports that the DPRK has pledged to return to the Six Party Talks shortly without preconditions are a welcome development and I would particularly congratulate China for its efforts in this regard. This does not, however, mean that efforts to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 should weaken.