EU Statement -- UN General Assembly: Veto Debate on Mandate of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1929 to assist the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Albania*, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina* align themselves with this statement.

We deeply regret the veto cast by two permanent members of the Security Council which is further affecting sanctions monitoring and the functioning of subsidiary bodies. Such actions also directly undermine the credibility of the Security Council and by extension the principle of good faith. The EU reiterates its strong support for General Assembly resolution 76/262, which strengthens the accountability and transparency of the Security Council by ensuring that the wider UN membership has an opportunity to consider situations in which a veto has been cast.

This veto was cast against the UN Security Council's re-instatement of UN Security Council resolutions that had already been in force prior to the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015), and thus of all nuclear-related UN sanctions and restrictions on Iran. There should be no doubt on the validity of this process and on the obligation for all UN Member States to fully implement the reinstated resolutions and related obligations, in accordance with article 25 of the Charter. These obligations encompass also the reinstatement of the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1929 to support the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee. No UN Member State should prevent the UN Security Council from functioning properly and being fully operational. The use of the veto should not impede the effective functioning of Security Council subsidiary bodies or deprive the international community of independent, technical, and fact-based expertise necessary for the implementation of Security Council decisions.

This need for a Panel of Experts is even greater today in light of the resolution adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors on 9 September requesting the Director General to report Iran’s non-compliance to the UN Security Council and the General Assembly. The EU is gravely concerned by Iran’s continued refusal to engage with the Agency in seeking to remedy its non-compliance and facilitate the full and effective implementation of safeguards. As clearly indicated by the IAEA Director General, Iran’s implementation of its Safeguards Agreement cannot be suspended under any circumstances.

The EU reiterates its full support for the impartial role of the IAEA and for its Director General in their critical work to uphold the implementation of safeguards, nuclear safety and security and to provide clarity on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Mr. President,

Ensuring that Iran does not acquire or develop a nuclear weapon remains a key security priority for the EU and all its Member States, as it is for our partners in the region and the entire international community. The EU has consistently stated that the snap back of sanctions and nuclear restrictions must not be the end of diplomacy. The European Union and its Member States are convinced that a lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue can only be achieved through diplomacy.

The EU calls on Iran to return to full compliance with its legal obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and its binding comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, as well as relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. It is critical and urgent that Iran provide the IAEA with up-to-date and verifiable declarations on the quantity and whereabouts of nuclear material and related activities and allow the resumption of inspections at all its nuclear facilities, including those affected by military strikes.

In the current context, with the risk of further escalation in the Middle East, the EU calls on all parties, especially Iran, to refrain from any actions that could endanger diplomatic efforts, to protect civilians and respect international law, including the principles of the United Nations Charter, and international humanitarian law. The European Union will continue to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and to bring about a lasting solution to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

The EU, including through the efforts of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and in line with UN Security Council Resolutions 2231 (2015), 1929 (2010) and 1803 (2008), is ready to support the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.

In this context, the reinstatement of a fully functional and independent Panel of Experts to assist the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee is long overdue.

Thank you.

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   North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.