Weapon Program:
- Nuclear
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Mr. Chair,
China takes note of the report submitted by Director General Grossi on the NPT Safeguards Agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran. We welcome Iran’s continued engagement with the Agency on outstanding safeguards issues and support constructive dialogue between DG and Iran.
The outstanding safeguards issues of Iran have a complex historical background and should be resolved through bilateral dialogue and consultations between the Agency's secretariat and Iran. Facts have proved time and again that creating artificial confrontation, exerting pressure and intensifying conflicts in the Board will not solve the problem, but will risk deteriorating cooperation between the Agency and Iran and further complicating the issue.
I would like to stress once again that the top priority of the Board is to maintain the positive momentum of contact and dialogue between Iran and the Agency, and to support constructive dialogue and cooperation between the two sides on the safeguard issue, so as to bridge their differences and put the Iranian nuclear issue back on the right track as soon as possible. We urge all relevant parties to exercise calm and restraint, allow time and space for Iran to take further constructive steps, and create the necessary conditions and a favourable atmosphere for diplomatic efforts to restore the integrity and effective implementation of the JCPOA. Concurrently, we call upon all parties to play a constructive role and resist any attempt to politicize the safeguards issues.
China has decided to make another contribution of 1.35 million RMB to the Iran safeguards programme for and will, as always, play a constructive role in the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.