The European Union welcomes the election of Dr. Robert Floyd as Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) on 20 May 2021. We count on his leadership to take further important steps towards the universalisation and the entry into force of the Treaty. The EU will continue to provide its full support to take this important work forward.

At the same time, we thank the outgoing Executive Secretary, Dr. Lassina Zerbo, for his leadership and tireless efforts in promoting the CTBT over the past eight years.

The Treaty is a strong confidence- and security building measure at international, regional and bilateral level. It has become an effective instrument with its solid and effective verification mechanism. The entry into force and universal adherence to the CTBT is a top priority for the European Union. We urge all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the CTBT without any preconditions or further delay.