The European Union and NATO on Monday condemned North Korea's nuclear test, saying it endangered peace around the world. «This test profoundly jeopardizes regional stability and represents a severe threat to international peace and security,» said a statement from the EU presidency, which is currently held by Finland. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the 26-nation alliance also condemned the move. «It flies in the face of the international community,» de Hoop Scheffer said after talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana at NATO headquarters. He called the tests «a threat to world peace and security,» adding that NATO nations would call on North Korea to return to international talks over its nuclear program. Solana said the test reflects the «upside down» priorities of North Korea's leadership. «It's very bad news for the people of North Korea,» Solana said. «At the end of the day the government of North Korea is spending lots of money for something that is not going to be for the benefit of the people, while the people in North Korea ... continue to be starving.»
