Five nuclear powers Wednesday called on Iran "to respond to the concerns of the international community" and urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "to fulfill the commitments under the Six- Party Talks," saying "we remain determined to achieve the satisfactory resolution of these dossiers through diplomatic means. "

Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, the five recognized nuclear countries under the NPT, issued a joint statement to air their viewpoints on nuclear weapons on the sidelines of the current NPT Review Conference, which entered the third day here Wednesday.

"The proliferation risks presented by the Iranian nuclear program remain of serious concern to us," the statement said. "We underscore the importance of Iran's full and immediate compliance with its international obligations."

"We urge Iran to respond to the concerns of the international community by complying promptly and fully with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," it said.

Meanwhile, the statement said, "We strongly urge the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to fulfill the commitments under the Six-Party Talks, including the complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the September 2005 Joint Statement, and we reaffirm our firm support for the Six-Party Talks," which group China, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the DPRK.

"We underline the fundamental importance of an effective IAEA's safeguards system to prevent nuclear proliferation and to facilitate co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy," said the statement, referring the UN nuclear watchdog, known as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"We call on all non-nuclear-weapon States that have not yet done so to bring into force a comprehensive safeguards agreement, as provided for in Article III, or a modified small quantities protocol at the earliest opportunity," it said.

The five powers also voiced their support to the establishment of the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Middle East, saying, "We are committed to a full implementation of the 1995 NPT resolution on the Middle East and we support all ongoing efforts to this end. "

"We are ready to consider all relevant proposals in the course of the Review Conference in order to come to an agreed decision aimed at taking concrete steps in this direction," it said.

"We urge all States to take all appropriate national measures in accordance with their national authorities and legislation and consistent with international law, to prevent proliferation financing and shipments, to strengthen export controls, to secure sensitive materials, and to control transfers of intangible technology," the statement said.

On the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the statement said, "We recognise the inalienable right of all States Party to the NPT reflected in Article IV to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty and the relevant principles on safeguards."

"We note the increasing demand for nuclear energy and stress its potential in addressing climate change, in facilitating achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and sustainable development, in providing energy security and in addressing vital non-power applications such as nuclear medicine, agriculture and industry," it said.

"We underline the particular importance of international co- operation, both through the IAEA and bilaterally, for States Party new to nuclear technology," it said. "We are ready to work actively with States Party wishing to develop nuclear energy for peaceful uses consistent with their NPT and IAEA safeguards obligations."

"We call for the development of nuclear energy in a culture of openness and transparency, which builds confidence amongst neighbors and stress the importance of promoting the sustainable development of peaceful nuclear energy with in a framework that ensures effective safety, security, non-proliferation conditions, and arrangements for civil nuclear liability for the benefit of all," it said.

"Seeking a safer world for all and creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons in accordance with the goals of the NPT will require determined, long-term international co- operation based on common interest," the statement said. "Our commitment to this goal is unshakable."