On March 5, the six world powers called for “tangible” and early results from their negotiations with Iran. The United States, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United Kingdom had a joint statement read to the U.N. nuclear watchdog board of governors.
The world powers noted that the February talks in Kazakhstan were constructive. The diplomatic process will continue based on “reciprocity and a step-by-step approach,” the statement said. The six nations also called on Iran to immediately take substantive steps toward “resolving outstanding issues related to possible military dimensions” to its nuclear program. The following is the full text of the statement.
Ambassador Susan le Jeune d'Allegeershecque, United Kingdom
I have the honor to make this statement on behalf of China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
We welcome the Director General’s introductory statement and his February 21 report (GOV/2013/6) entitled “Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement and relevant provisions of the United Nations Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
We reaffirm our continuing support for a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
In this regard, we take note of the useful meetings that took place on February 26-27 in Almaty to carry on a constructive diplomatic process, which will be pursued actively in the months ahead on the basis of reciprocity and a step-by-step approach, and restores international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program consistent with the NPT. We seek tangible results in this diplomatic process at an early stage.
We commend the Secretariat for its intensive efforts over many months, including nine meetings with Iran over the last year, to clarify unresolved issues in connection with Iran’s nuclear program and encourage the Agency to continue doing so. We reaffirm our support for the resolutions adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors addressing the Agency’s efforts to implement its responsibilities under Iran’s Safeguards Agreement, most recently GOV/2011/69 and GOV/2012/50. Although Iran’s declared nuclear activities including enrichment remain under IAEA comprehensive safeguards we are deeply concerned that Iran continues to undertake certain nuclear activities contrary to multiple UNSC Resolutions, including recent steps to install more advanced centrifuges, continued installation of additional centrifuges at Fordow and Natanz, production of enriched uranium, and construction of the IR-40 reactor at Arak.
We also reaffirm that the IAEA must play an essential role in establishing international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. We urge once again Iran to comply fully and without delay with all of its obligations under the relevant UNSC Resolutions, and to meet the requirements of the Board of Governors, including by immediately taking substantive steps as requested by the Agency toward resolving outstanding issues related to possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program, applying the modified Code 3.1, and implementation and prompt entry into force of the Additional Protocol.
We also reaffirm that the IAEA must play an essential role in establishing international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. We urge once again Iran to comply fully and without delay with all of its obligations under the relevant UNSC Resolutions, and to meet the requirements of the Board of Governors, including by immediately taking substantive steps as requested by the Agency toward resolving outstanding issues related to possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear program, applying the modified Code 3.1, and implementation and prompt entry into force of the Additional Protocol.
We look forward to timely reporting from the Director General on his continued efforts to implement Iran’s safeguards obligations.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.