Brussels, Rabi'II 2, 1434, Feb 12, 2013, SPA - The European Union (EU) on Tuesday condemned "in the strongest possible terms" an atomic test carried out by North Korea, pledging to work with its international allies to rebuke the country. "The EU ... will work with key partners and the wider international community to build a firm and unified response aiming at demonstrating to North Korea that there are consequences for its continued violations of UN Security Council resolutions," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said. She criticized the nuclear test as "a further blatant challenge to the global non-proliferation regime," a violation of North Korea's international obligations, and "a serious threat" to peace on the Korean Peninsula and to security and stability in north-east Asia. Ashton urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear programme and engage in talks with the international community, according to a report of DPA. --SPA 14:38 LOCAL TIME 11:38 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1077756