E.U. Statement on the Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in Iran

November 27, 2006

Weapon Program: 

  • Nuclear

Related Country: 

  • Iran

1. I have the honour to take the floor on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia?, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Liechtenstein, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and Moldova align themselves with this statement.

2. The EU has taken note of the Director General's latest report on the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran (GOV/2006/64). The EU would like to thank the Director General and the Secretariat for their continuing efforts in trying to verify the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme.

3. The EU regrets that no progress has been made by Iran in addressing the long outstanding verification issues, as repeatedly requested by the Board. It is a serious concern to the European Union that Iran has, inter alia, not made available to the Agency any new information regarding the sources of HEU and LEU particles, the acquisition of P-1 or P-2 centrifuge technology and plutonium separation experiments and has not provided a copy of the document relating to the use of uranium metal. We would welcome clarification from the Secretariat to which extent providing this information and documentation is an obligation to Iran under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. We note that the latest results of the analysis of environmental samples at the Karaj Waste Storage Facility give rise to further important questions.

4. The EU notes with concern that there seem to be difficulties in implementing the safeguards obligations in Iran, as required by the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement under the NPT. In this respect, the EU regrets that Iran has not yet provided the Agency full information and co-operation at the Natanz Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, in particular access to operating records. The EU also regrets that Iran has not given to the Agency full clarification and access in relation to the Technical University and the Physics Research Centre (PHRC). Again, the EU would very much appreciate clarification from the Secretariat, whether providing such access and information with regard to both issues is also an obligation under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, as nuclear material is involved.

5. According to the Director General's report, the Agency will remain unable to make further progress in its efforts to verify the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran unless Iran addresses the long outstanding verification issues, including through the implementation of the Additional Protocol, and provides the necessary transparency. The EU notes that progress in this regard is a prerequisite for the Agency to be able to confirm the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme. The EU once again urges Iran to fully implement the provisions of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, to implement the Additional Protocol pending its ratification and to provide the Agency all information and co-operation requested.

6. The EU expresses deep concern that Iran has not yet suspended its enrichment-related activities, as repeatedly required by the IAEA Board of Governors and made mandatory by UN Security Council Resolution 1696. Instead, Iran has continued its enrichment activities by installing and running a second 164-machine cascade.

7. The EU recalls the statement made by the EU Foreign Ministers on 17 July that if Iran did not comply with the Security Council's requirements, the EU would work for the adoption of measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter. The EU also recalls that in Resolution 1696 the Security Council expressed its intention to adopt appropriate measures under Article 41 if Iran did not comply. Accordingly, Iran's continuation of enrichment-related activities has left the EU no choice but to support consultations on such measures.

8. Once again the EU calls upon Iran to respond positively and swiftly to the demands of the international community in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1696, in particular by suspending all its enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and to take all the steps required by the IAEA, in accordance with that resolution. This would enable negotiations for a long-term comprehensive arrangement, as proposed by six countries, with the support of the European Union's High Representative. The proposals presented to Iran are far-reaching and would give Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power industry while addressing international concerns and establishing the necessary confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme.

9. The door to negotiations remains open. The EU reaffirms its commitment to a negotiated solution and believes that such a solution would contribute to the development of the EU's relations with Iran. The EU urges Iran to take the positive path on offer.

* Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.