Mr. Chairman,

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

The EU once again reiterates its serious concern over the absence of cooperation by the Syrian Arab Republic and the lack of any progress on the long outstanding questions regarding the Dair Alzour site and three other locations, as reported in the Director General's introductory statement.

It is more than 10 years since the IAEA Board of Governors found Syria to be in non-compliance with its Safeguards Agreement. The EU deeply regrets that despite repeated calls by the Director General, the Syrian Arab Republic has yet to provide the necessary actions. The EU, once again, strongly urges the Syrian Arab Republic to fully comply with the Board of Governors resolution of June 2011.

Mr. Chairman,

As long as the Syrian Arab Republic does not resolve the outstanding issues with the Agency, it continues to be non-compliant with its Safeguards Agreement. The Syrian Arab Republic should be held accountable for its lack of action and urgently remedy this non-compliance. The EU calls on the Syrian Arab Republic to cooperate fully with the Agency to clarify matters with regard to Dair Alzour and the other relevant sites, and to conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol as soon as possible.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, the EU wishes to reaffirm its request that the Director General keeps the Board of Governors informed about this issue and maintains this item on the agenda of its meetings until the Syrian Arab Republic fully cooperates with the Agency to resolve the international community's concerns and remedies its non-compliance with its Safeguards Agreement. The EU believes that cases of serious non-compliance by a State with its Safeguards obligations cannot be remedied by a mere lapse of time and that the persistence of non-compliance makes it even more important to maintain the issue on the agenda of the Board. The contrary would set a dangerous precedent that the Board needs to avoid. It is essential that Member States address instances of non-compliance in order l to maintain the credibility of the IAEA safeguards system.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

^§ Candidate Country

* Candidate Countries the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania as well as potential Candidate Country 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.