European leaders condemned North Korea's test of a nuclear bomb yesterday as a "provocative" and "irresponsible" act that endangered world peace.
The EU also called on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to refrain from any further tests, publicly renounce nuclear weapons and return to talks.
British prime minister Tony Blair said he condemned the "completely irresponsible act by the government of the DPRK ".
"The international community has repeatedly urged them to refrain from both missile testing and nuclear testing," said Mr Blair. "This further act of defiance shows North Korea's disregard for the concerns of its neighbours and the wider international community."
Finland, the current holder of the EU presidency, said the test profoundly jeopardised regional stability and represented a severe threat to international peace and security.
Nato secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the 26-nation military alliance also condemned the move by North Korea. "It flies in the face of the international community," Mr de Hoop Scheffer said after talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana at Nato headquarters in Brussels.
Mr Solana said the test reflected the "upside down" priorities of North Korea's leadership.
French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy also condemned the test.
"France firmly condemns today's nuclear test by North Korea [ which] poses a serious problem to international security. France will turn towards her partners in the security council to quickly come up with a reaction," he said in a statement.
