Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Japan welcomes Indonesia`s recent decision to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Japanese embassy in Jakarta said in a press statement on Thursday.

The Japanese government considered Indonesia`s move to be an important step as it could prompt the remaining eight of the 44 countries categorized in the treaty`s Annex II as nuclear and non- nuclear weapon states to also ratify the CTBT, the statement said.

The Japanese government also stated its willingness to actively persuade other countries that had yet to ratify the CTBT to do so soon.

Indonesia`s House of Representatives at a plenary meeting on Tuesday (Dec 6) ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

"Members of all factions in the parliament have agreed to ratify the CTBT," House Deputy Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso who chaired the plenary session said.

With the CTBT`s passage by the Indonesian parliament, a total of 38 of the 44 countries listed as nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapon states have now ratified the treaty.

The eight other listed countries that have yet to ratify the CTBT are the United States, Israel, North Korea, China, India, Pakistan and Egypt.
(Uu.A051/HAJM/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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