Chair,

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

The EU fully recognises the concerns expressed by those States, which are not part of any of the current eight regional groups in the IAEA. It goes without saying that the rights of all IAEA Member States resulting from their membership, as per the Statute, should be respected, including participation in decision-making in the IAEA governing bodies, similar to other multilateral fora.

We would like to thank in particular Kazakhstan, but also other IAEA Member States, for their efforts to explore different options to remedy this longstanding pending issue in full respect of the IAEA Statute. In order to achieve progress, it will be important to continue informal consultations with all those concerned.

In the meantime, we encourage all IAEA Member States that have not yet done so, to ratify the 1999 Amendment to Article VI of the Statute that would modify the composition of the Board of Governors. This Amendment – which will enter into force when accepted by two-thirds of the IAEA Member States – would increase the number of Board members and represent an important step towards more equality and inclusiveness. All 27 EU Member States have already ratified the said amendment.

Thank you, Chair.

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

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