Madam President,

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

It has been more than 18 months since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in violation of international law, including the UN Charter and the very principles of the IAEA Statute. The Russian invasion of Ukraine holds severe consequences for Ukraine’s nuclear facilities including the past looting of the Chornobyl site as well as the illegal seizure of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

The EU continues to condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. We are gravely concerned about the increasing nuclear safety and security risks, with potentially severe consequences for Ukraine and its neighbouring countries, as well as wider global repercussions. None of these existed before Russia’s invasion.

As a consequence of Russia’s aggression, and as reported by the IAEA Director General, the ZNPP has lost its main source of cooling water following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. Its main off-site power supply line suffers frequent disconnections. Maintenance work is being neglected in the absence of sufficient spare parts and personnel. The operating staff is conducting their duties under constant intimidation from Russian forces, increasing the risk of mistakes. The orders of the Ukrainian Regulator for all six units to be placed in cold shutdown and the recommendations of the IAEA are being ignored. Most worryingly, the IAEA has reported continued significant Russian military presence at the site, with outwards-facing mines and military activity near the site. Moreover, the war has made the conduct of IAEA safeguards activities more challenging.

The EU is most grateful to the IAEA and its Director General who have acted with great determination and decisiveness under these unprecedented circumstances. We recall the Agency’s clear stance that the attempted illegal annexation of four regions of Ukraine has no validity under international law, as set out in UN General Assembly Resolution 11/4 of 12 October 2022. We strongly support the IAEA’s continued presence at Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, in full respect of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We reiterate our appreciation for the IAEA Director General’s Seven Indispensable Pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict as well as Five Principles to avoid a nuclear accident at the ZNPP. The IAEA experts on-site must have unrestricted and timely access to all locations to monitor implementation.

Regrettably, Russia has shown no sign of respecting either the Seven Pillars or the Five Principles. Russia is not complying with the three resolutions adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors in 2022, let alone the previous consensus resolutions of the IAEA General Conference which clearly state that “any armed attack on and threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the UN Charter, international law and the Statute of the Agency”.

Madam President,

The time has come for the IAEA General Conference to address the nuclear safety and security situation at the ZNPP as well as safeguards implementation. The IAEA needs our support for its work to help maintain nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. Russia must leave the ZNPP in order for the competent Ukrainian authorities to ensure its safe and secure operation and in order for the Agency to safely implement safeguards, in accordance with Ukraine’s Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol.

We would like to thank the co-sponsors - Canada, Costa Rica, Finland and Singapore - for their tireless and transparent efforts, which have resulted in a balanced draft Resolution for consideration by the General Conference. We call upon all IAEA Member States to support it.

The EU stands with Ukraine as long as necessary. We will continue to support Ukraine and the IAEA’s nuclear safety and security work.

Thank you, Madam President.

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

+ Iceland and Liechtenstein are members of the EFTA and of the European Economic Area.