The German Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent illegal launch of a long-range ballistic missile by North Korea. This missile launch is a further blatant violation of relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions, increases the tensions in the region in an irresponsible manner and endangers regional and international peace.

We urge North Korea to refrain from carrying out further tests, to implement the decisions of the Security Council in full and to enter into a dialogue on the complete, irreversible and verifiable ending of its programmes to develop weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.