EU Statement at the IAEA Board of Governors on Syria, 19 November 2025

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, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Moldova, San Marino, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

The EU thanks the Director General for the update provided on Syria in his opening statement and the Secretariat for its tireless efforts to address the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in Syria.

We fully support the Director General’s engagement with Syria and the ongoing process to clarify outstanding safeguards issues, including through Agency visits, access to three sites related to the Deir Ezzor site and environmental sampling. This enables the IAEA to conduct verification activities with the aim of achieving clarity regarding the Assad regime’s nuclear activities. 

The EU welcomes efforts so far and calls on the Syrian transitional authorities to continue and reinforce their cooperation with the IAEA to address all outstanding issues without further delay. In this regard, we welcome the immediate and unrestricted access to relevant sites granted by President Al-Sharaa during the DG’s visit in June. 

We strongly encourage Syria to conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol without delay. 

We request the Director General to keep the Board of Governors timely informed of any developments and to maintain this item on the Board agenda. 

Thank you, Chair.