IAEA Board of Governors Meeting: 19 January 2016
Statement by HE Mr David Stuart, Resident Representative to the IAEA
Director General’s Report to the Board of Governors: Iran’s completion of preparatory steps for implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)
Mr Chair,
The Australian delegation thanks the Director General for his 16 January report on Iran’s completion of the agreed preparatory steps for implementation of the E3/EU+3/Iran Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The Australian Government has welcomed the announcement that Iran has met its commitments under the JCPOA that make it possible to begin JCPOA implementation, through the press statement of our Foreign Minister on 17 January.
As Foreign Minister Bishop noted, the plan of action aims to constrain Iran’s nuclear program over the long term; provide verifiable assurances to the international community that Iran’s nuclear activities will remain exclusively peaceful; and ensure that any attempt by Iran to pursue a nuclear weapon or new capability would be detected promptly.
Following the lifting of sanctions on Iran under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the Australian Government has lifted relevant UN and certain autonomous sanctions, including economic sanctions.
We look forward to receiving regular written reports from the Director General to the Board on Iran’s implementation of its commitments under the JCPOA.
I add that Australia shares the concerns expressed by our colleagues about the 6 January nuclear test conducted by the DPRK.
Australia supports the public release of the Director General’s report GOV/INF/2016/1.
Thank you.