EU Statement - UN Security Council: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

- CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY -

Madam President, 

1. It is an honour to have the opportunity to address the Council on behalf of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Kaja Kallas, in her capacity as Coordinator of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the JCPOA).

2. I would also like to thank Secretary General António Guterres and the Secretariat for their work related to the implementation of Resolution 2231 as well as Slovenia as the Facilitator of Resolution 2231. We take note of the 19threport of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2231. 

3. This session takes place under most serious circumstances, with a dangerous cycle of escalation following military action against nuclear related sites in Iran.  

4. The High Representative is engaged and has been following very closely the situation in the Middle East, and reiterates the EU’s strong commitment to regional security, including the security of the State of Israel, and the call on all sides to abide by international law, show restraint and refrain from taking further steps, which could lead to serious consequences such as potential radioactive release. 

5. Ensuring that Iran does not acquire or develop a nuclear weapon remains a key security priority for the EU. 

6. IAEA DG Grossi, at the end of May, reported on the further expansion of enrichment capacity and operation, as well as on a sharp increase in the production of 60% enriched uranium, close to military levels. Iran was already far away from its JCPOA commitments. Iran chose to continue the dramatic expansion of its programme at an alarming pace, going beyond what is plausibly necessary for a civilian programme. In the special session of the IAEA Board of Governors on 23 June, DG Grossi raised the need to account for the stockpile of Highly Enriched Uranium, following the events of the last days.

7. Moreover, it has been more than four years that the Agency has not been able to perform all JCPOA-related monitoring activities, and has therefore lost the continuity of knowledge as regards several key components of the nuclear programme of Iran.

8. We continue to recognise that Iran has faced and continues facing very serious negative economic consequences following the US’s withdrawal from the JCPOA and the re-imposition of previously lifted US unilateral sanctions. The US has also gradually imposed additional sanctions linked to the nuclear programme. 

9. Many efforts have been made to preserve the JCPOA, notably when the High Representative put forward a compromise text laying down the necessary steps needed for the US to return to the JCPOA and for Iran to resume the full implementation of its commitments. These efforts did not lead to the expected results and we are now in the current situation.

10. In four months from now, the Security Council will no longer be seized of the Iran nuclear issue under Res 2231 and we urgently need to come back to a diplomatic solution.

11. Let us be clear in what will be the last session in this format under UNSCR 2231: A lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue can only be through a negotiated deal, not military action. A fully functioning nuclear deal will be conducive to the stabilization of the whole region.

12. Last Friday, as part of an intense diplomatic engagement, the EU High Representative Kallas, together with the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, met with the Iranian Foreign Minister in Geneva. They reiterated their longstanding concerns about Iran’s expansion of its nuclear programme and discussed avenues towards a negotiated solution.

13. The matter can only be addressed in a sustainable manner with the adequate involvement of the international community. Moreover, the IAEA is and should remain the sole impartial and independent international organisation to monitor and verify the implementation of Iran’s nuclear non-proliferation commitments. 

14.  Diplomacy must prevail. The EU High Representative will continue to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and to find a lasting solution to the Iran nuclear issue.

In view of this, the UN Secretary General on Sunday stated in this Council that ”there is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control – with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world.” We welcome the announced ceasefire and urge all sides to effectively implement it. 

Thank you, Madam President.