Madrid - The Spanish government on Monday criticized North Korea's firing of a high-altitude rocket, describing it as a "provocation which seriously weakens the regional security environment."

Sunday's missile launch also "contradicts the will expressed by the (North Korean) government to find solutions through dialogue," the Foreign Ministry said in a communique.

North Korea had "not heeded repeated appeals from the international community and ignored engagements taken in the United Nations," Spain complained, urging the country to suspend "all activities related with its ballistic missiles programme." (dpa)