CHA-AM HUAHIN, Thailand – Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday urged member-states to become signatories to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty before the review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which will be presided over by the Philippine president in May 2010.

The ASEAN statement released on Saturday made commitment to fully support Philippines presidency of the review conference, saying that efforts should be exerted to create a united front in ensuring the success of the conference to back the three pillars of the treaty – nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

“We recognize that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the central mechanism to contain and eliminate the threats of weapons of mass destruction,” the statement said.

The 10 member-states of the ASEAN are signatories to the 1997 Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty which was reached as leaders noted the growing demand by various states for the use of nuclear material and technology for energy and other non-violent uses.

It was recalled that the Philippines had also hosted the 2007 ASEAN Summit which produced the Cebu Declaration on Energy Security, encouraging the use of biofuels, hydropower, and nuclear power to reduce dependence on oil and avoid the risk of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Philippines is eyeing the reactivation of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant while its neighbors, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are pursuing nuclear power plant programs to meet the rapid demand for efficient and economical sources of energy.

In the same statement, the ASEAN also appealed to North Korea to “comply fully with its obligations” provided by United Nations Security Council resolutions aimed at guaranteeing peace and stability in the Korean peninsula.

“We also urged all concerned parties to return to the Six- Party Talks process as soon as possible and fully implement their commitments made in previous rounds of the Six-Party Talks which remains the main mechanism for achieving peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula,” the ASEAN document stressed.

North Korea, which had openly conducted nuclear tests, had withdrawn as signatory to the UN-initiated 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that sought to limit the spread of nuclear weapons. A total 189 countries, including the Philippines, signed the treaty.

On the Myanmar issue, the regional organization expressed aired hopes for a “fair, free” general elections in the country which is being closely watched by the international community.

ASEAN ministers said the credibility of the elections will be ensured only ifs held in a credible manner.