STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR TEBOGO SEOKOLO, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA ON THE OCCASION OF THE IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, VIENNA, AUSTRIA FROM 15 TO 19 SEPTEMBER 2014

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPT SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Chairperson,

South Africa associates itself with the statement delivered by the Resident Representative of Iran, His Excellency Ambassador Ressa Najafi on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

My delegation thanks the Director-General for his latest report on the Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran as contained in document GOV/2014/43. We also wish to DDG Tero Varjoranta for the technical briefing on 09 September 2014 in this regard

Chairperson

My delegation welcomes progress made in the implementation of the five practical measures agreed to by Iran and the Agency. We also note that there are ongoing discussions on new practical measures.

We have noted that Iran was unable to implement all the five agreed practical measures before the deadline of 25 August 2014. In this regard we welcome the high level meeting between the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran H.E President Hassan Rouhani and the Director-General. We commend the DG for initiating such a meeting whose objective, my delegation believes, was to seek ways of constructively engaging Iran on the implementation of agreed practical measures. In this regard we welcome President Rouhani’s assurance to the Director-General that Iran is committed to the implementation of the Framework of Cooperation.

We urge both parties to remain resolute in resolving obstacles towards the implementation of safeguards in Iran. My delegation reiterates its long standing view that dialogue is the only vehicle towards resolving all present and past issues concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.

Chairperson,

With these remarks, my delegation takes note of the Director General’s report as contained in document GOV/2014/43. My delegation looks forward to receiving further updates on developments.

Thank you

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