On December 6, 2019, the meeting at the level of Director-General for Political Affairs of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue was held in Vienna of Austria. The meeting discussed the current Iranian nuclear situation and reviewed the implementation of the JCPOA. Secretary General for the European External Action Service Helga Schmid chaired the meeting. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov of Russia and relevant officials from the United Kingdom, France and Germany attended the meeting. Director-General of the Department of Arms Control of the Foreign Ministry Fu Cong led a delegation to attend the meeting.

Fu Cong pointed out, the withdrawal of the United States (US) from the JCPOA and its maximum pressure against Iran hamper Iran from reaping the economic dividend promised by the JCPOA, and create obstacles for Iran to fulfill its nuclear commitments. This is the internal logic of the Iranian nuclear crisis. Iran exercises restraint in reducing its implementation of the JCPOA and emphasizes that all its measures are reversible and that it continues accepting the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s inspection and verification. The Chinese side hopes that all parties to the JCPOA will adhere to resolving differences in implementing the JCPOA within the framework of the Joint Commission. The Chinese side is opposed to launching the dispute resolution mechanism in the JCPOA. The US side should abandon erroneous practices of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against Iran, in order to create conditions for political resolution process of the issue.

Fu Cong stressed, the JCPOA should be fully and effectively implemented, which is the only correct and effective way to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue and ease the current situation. Preserving the JCPOA serves the good purpose of safeguarding multilateralism and the international order based on international law. It is imperative that all parties should make joint efforts to restore balance of the rights and obligation of the JCPOA. The Chinese side appreciates the Russian side's efforts in promoting the Fordow nuclear facility reconstruction project, and welcomes the positive progress made by the European side on the Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges for Iran. The Chinese side supports the French side in continuing diplomatic mediation and supports the IAEA in continuing its objective and fair inspection and verification of Iran. The Chinese side will continue to work with all parties to strive for new progress in the modification project of the Arak heavy-water reactor.

After the meeting, the European Union (EU) issued a presidential statement according to the general practice. The EU side said, all parties reiterate that they will fully and effectively implement the JCPOA, appreciate relevant diplomatic efforts for the easing of the Iranian nuclear situation, and hope that the Iranian side will fully fulfill its nuclear commitments. Meanwhile, all parties will strive to safeguard the Iranian side's economic interests, support the opening of the Instrument for Supporting Trade Exchanges for Iran to a third party, and support the IAEA in continuing its inspection and verification of Iran. All parties welcome the efforts of Chinese side and other parties to promote the progress in the modification project of the Arak heavy-water reactor. All parties also discussed issues related to resolution of differences in implementing the JCPOA within the framework of the JCPOA.