Egypt reiterates pivotal importance of NPT

Egypt has underlined the pivotal importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. This came during a telephone call between Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi during which they discussed regional developments, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The NPT plays a key role in promoting international peace and security, it added. Abdelatty affirmed the need to achieve the universality of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, particularly in the Middle East region, the statement added. Both sides dealt with the outcomes of the eleventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) held in New York from April 27 until May 22. Abdelatty expressed dissatisfaction as the conference failed to reach an agreement regarding a closing document of the conference, it noted. On the US-Iran talks, Abdelatty stressed the necessity of intensifying and supporting diplomatic efforts to reach understandings between the US and Iranian sides to de-escalate tensions in the region and enhance international and regional security and stability, the statement pointed out.