Statement by Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo, Resident Representative/Governor of the Republic of South Africa, International Atomic Energy Agency, Board of Governors

AGENDA ITEM 5: NUCLEAR VERIFICATION

(D) IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPT SAFEGUARDS AGREEMENT AND RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

Chairperson,

South Africa associates itself with the statement delivered by the Permanent Representative of Iran on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. We thank the Director-General for the report, as well as for the Technical Briefing on 24 February 2014.

My delegation notes the positive developments with regard to the implementation of the six initial practical measures by the Government of Iran within the specified time-frame. South Africa welcomed the signing of the Framework for Cooperation between the Agency and the Government of Iran in November 2013, as we believe this demonstrates a commitment by the Government of Iran and the IAEA to addressing the outstanding issues in a pragmatic manner. It is in this regard that South Africa calls on both the Government of Iran and the Agency to continue to strengthen their cooperation to resolve all present and past issues, including the implementation of the next seven practical measures recently agreed to within the Framework.

South Africa joined other Member States during the November 2013 Board in welcoming the adoption of the Joint Plan of Action (JPA) by the E3+3 and the Government of Iran. My delegation is of the view that these recent developments demonstrate a clear commitment by the parties concerned to dialogue and cooperation.

South Africa has consistently emphasised the importance of a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear programme and we therefore encourage all parties concerned to continue to maintain open political dialogue with a view to reach a sustainable solution to this issue. My delegation looks forward to receiving further updates on developments.

I thank you.

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