Board of Governors International Atomic Energy Agency - EU Statement on Agenda item 6 (c): Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic

Chair, 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The following countries align themselves with this statement: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, Moldova, San Marino and Ukraine.

The EU thanks the Director General for his latest report and commends his tireless efforts to address the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in Syria.

The EU welcomes Syria’s transparency and cooperation with the Agency. Syria has taken concrete steps to facilitate the Agency’s verification activities at several locations. This has enabled the Agency to clarify and resolve questions concerning the outstanding safeguards issues previously reported to the Board regarding the Assad regime’s nuclear programme. The Agency was able to confirm its previous assessment regarding nuclear material, facilities and activities that the former regime had failed to declare: a gas-cooled graphite-moderated nuclear reactor under construction at the Deir Ezzor site, similar to the DPRK’s Yongbyon facility ; a fuel fabrication plant where the fuel for the reactor was manufactured; and a location where this nuclear fuel was stored. We recall that in 2011 the Board found that the undeclared construction and the failure of the Assad regime to provide required information constituted a non-compliance with safeguards obligations under the NPT Safeguards Agreement.

We take positive note that Syria has taken measures to remedy the situation regarding the outstanding safeguards issues previously reported to the Board, and has provided the Agency with information and access concerning a new site storing large quantities of uranium. We take positive note that Syria provided the required nuclear material accounting reports and design information for the above-mentioned facilities in accordance with its NPT Safeguards Agreement. As a result of these efforts, previously undeclared nuclear material has now been placed under Agency safeguards.

We welcome the draft resolution proposed by the Arab Group and we support it, noting that it requests the DG to continue to report to the Board on any further developments and outcomes of the additional work done by the Agency as reflected in the report.

The resolution of outstanding safeguard issues related to Syria’s past nuclear activities is of crucial importance for the preservation of the integrity of the international non-proliferation regime. The EU calls on Syria to continue and to reinforce its cooperation with the Agency. We strongly encourage Syria to conclude and bring into force without delay an Additional Protocol to rebuild confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear activities. 

The EU remains committed to strongly supporting Syria’s peaceful and inclusive transition, as well as its socio-economic recovery. As an important step in this regard, following the Council decision of 11 May 2026 terminating the partial suspension in place since 2011, the EU has fully reinstated its cooperation agreement with Syria.

We request the Director General to keep the Board of Governors timely informed of any developments and to continue reporting as appropriate. 

Thank you, Chair.