Topnews, Statements

25. August 2015

STATEMENT DELIVERED BY AMBASSADOR TEBOGO SEOKOLO, GOVERNOR/RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE IAEA, AT THE SPECIAL BOARD OF GOVERNORS, VIENNA, 25 AUGUST 2015

Madame Chairperson,

South Africa thanks the Director-General for the opening statement this morning and his report, GOV/2015/53, on Verification and Monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015). We also welcome the technical briefing by DDG Tero Varjoranta on 20 August 2015.

My delegation endorses the statement delivered on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement by Ambassador Reza Najafi of Iran and wishes to present the following remarks in its national capacity.

Madame Chairperson,

South Africa welcomes the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed to by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the E3, EU+3 pertaining to the Iranian nuclear programme and support its full implementation. This historic Agreement is a testament to a view that many of us have consistent expressed in this chamber and beyond that only dialogue stood a better chance to resolve all outstanding issues and concerns around Iran’s nuclear programme.

Madame Chairperson,

South Africa is mindful of the fact that there are critical milestones that have to be reached before this agreement is fully implemented. In particular we note that the Director-General is expected to report to this Board by 15 December this year, the Agency’s final assessment on the resolution of all past and present outstanding issues. We are looking forward to this report and wish to urge all parties involved to ensure that this milestone is reached.

We have noted the Director-General’s remarks that this agreement provides the Agency with enhanced access to Iran’s facilities and sites like uranium mining and mills which goes beyond the provisions of its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol. In this regard my delegation wishes to caution that this should not in any way affect the existing safeguards agreements between the Agency and Member States.

My delegation is aware that this agreement is complex and thus its implementation will require the full cooperation of all involved. On our part we pledge will do everything necessary to support its full implementation.

With this remarks my delegation supports the recommended action contained in documents GOV/2015/53 and GOV/2015/54, respectively.

I thank you.

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