[ecr]

Since its adhesion to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Algeria “continues to work, alongside its international partners, to achieve the common goal, which is to put a comprehensive ban to nuclear testing,” said Arkab during a workshop on Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) technologies for national data centres in Arab- speaking countries.

And to add that “Algeria has consistently been among the countries supporting international efforts to end the proliferation of nuclear weapons, promote nuclear disarmament and uphold international agreements in the areas of security and peace.”

The opening of the workshop, which will be held until Thursday, was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, Robert Floyd, experts from the organization and the Commissioner for Atomic Energy, Abdelhamid Mellah.

To fulfil its commitments under the CTBT, Algeria has set up the National Data Centre of the Atomic Energy Commission (COMENA), which acts as the main technical point of contact with the CTBTO for the centre’s activities.

The new headquarters of the centre was inaugurated by the minister during the workshop.

Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation remain “at the heart of Algeria’s priorities,” affirmed Arkab, emphasizing that “Algeria, as a signatory to the main treaties related to weapons of mass destruction, is deeply convinced that the complete elimination of nuclear weapons is the only sure guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.” [/ecr]