Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion "strongly" condemned North Korea's long-range rocket launch on Sunday, saying the country's actions show a "blatant disregard for its international obligations."

In a statement released on Sunday, Dion said that the launch, as well as a North Korean nuclear test on Jan.6, pose a "grave threat to international peace and security" as well as stability in the region.

"Any launch by North Korea using ballistic-missile technology directly violates successive United Nations Security Council Resolutions," he said.

"North Korea's actions show a blatant disregard for its international obligations, and Canada calls on North Korea to cease these disruptive and provocative actions and to return to compliance with its international obligations."

In response to the launch, the UN Security Council held a closed-door emergency meeting on Sunday, at the request of the U.S. and Japan, and pledged to "expeditiously" adopt a new resolution with "significant" new sanctions.

Dion said that Canada will back the efforts put forth by the UN.

"Canada strongly supports efforts underway in the UN Security Council to agree to significant measures to hold North Korea accountable for its actions," Dion said.

"We will continue to work closely with international and regional partners to respond appropriately to North Korea’s actions, in an effort to curb this unwarranted, irresponsible and dangerous behaviour."

The long-range rocket was launched from North Korea's west coast just hours after an eight-day launch window opened Sunday morning.

The rocket's path was tracked by authorities in the U.S., Japan and South Korea. No damage from debris was reported.

The communist nation says its launch is part of a peaceful space program, and allowed it to put a new Earth observation satellite, the Kwangmyongsong 4, or Shining Star 4, into orbit.

It promised to move forward with more launches.

A statement approved by all 15 members of the UN Security Council said that regardless of North Korea's labelling, the launch contributes to its development of systems to deliver nuclear weapons.

It also emphasized that using ballistic missile technology violates four Security Council resolutions.

With files from The Associated Press