Chair,

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

The EU thanks the Secretariat for its tireless efforts to address the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic.

It is now more than 12 years that the Syrian Arab Republic has been found in non-compliance with its Safeguards Agreement. This is deeply regrettable. The EU remains deeply concerned by the continued absence of cooperation by the Syrian Arab Republic and the lack of any progress in resolving the long outstanding questions regarding the Dair Alzour site and three other locations.

The EU supports the continued efforts of the Director General to re-engage with the Syrian Arab Republic including through his letters from May last year and August this year. We urge the Syrian Arab Republic to open the way for dialogue on the unresolved issues and seize the opportunity to engage with the Agency without any further delay.

We, once again, strongly urge the Syrian Arab Republic to fully comply with the Board of Governors resolution of June 2011, provide the necessary information and cooperation to the IAEA, and conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol as soon as possible.

Chair,

The Syrian Arab Republic must be held accountable for its lack of action and urgently remedy this non-compliance. Until it fully cooperates with the Agency, we request the Director General to keep the Board of Governors informed about this issue and maintain this item on the Board agenda.

Thank you, Chair.

§ Candidate Country

* Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, 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.