Hiroshima Day reminds of the necessity of nuclear disarmament

Press release 183/2015
6 August 2015

The Hiroshima Day on August 6 commemorates the victims of atomic bombings. A nuclear weapon was used exactly 70 years ago in Hiroshima and three days later in Nagasaki. The Hiroshima Day reminds of the destruction and suffering caused by the nuclear weapons and of the progress needed in nuclear disarmament. A memorial ceremony organised in Japan will commemorate the victims. Finland will be represented by Ambassador Manu Virtamo.

Now attention to nuclear weapons and their effects are being paid in the framework of the so called Humanitarian Initiative.  Finland supports this initiative and promotes the aim of achieving a world without nuclear weapons. Finland stresses the importance of getting nuclear weapons states involved in the dialogue in order to achieve progress in nuclear disarmament. Finland has supported, for example, US and Russian action in reducing the number of nuclear weapons and encourages every nuclear weapon state to take steps towards their elimination. Nuclear disarmament should also apply to short range, non-strategic nuclear weapons.

Finland is active in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and in international nuclear security and safety cooperation. Finland emphasises the importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and is a strong supporter of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).   

The agreement reached by the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) with Iran on the country's nuclear programme is a significant step in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Finland supports the implementation of the agreement.

For more information: Director Sannamaaria Vanamo, Unit for Arms Control, tel. +358 295 351 529.