Chairperson,
The Chinese delegation wishes to state the following position in relation to the resolution just adopted by the Board on the Iranian nuclear issue.
1. China always maintains that all international disputes should be settled by seeking solutions through dialogue and cooperation. In dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue, we are in favour of addressing the relevant issues by taking approaches that are in conformity with the Vienna Spirit, i.e. consensus. The practice of consensus developed by the IAEA Board of Governors over a long period of time has played an important role in preserving the unity of the Board and strengthening its ability to deal with the relevant issues. Based on this position, China didn’t give its support to the motion of “adjournment of debate” on the amendments submitted by NAM.
2.China believes that the Iranian nuclear issue should, and entirely can, be resolved appropriately through dialogue and within the framework of the Agency. We do not favour submission of it to the Security Council. This is a fundamental position of ours on this issue. In general terms, the resolution just adopted has not gone beyond the above-mentioned framework, which continues to request the Agency and the DG to make efforts in solving the Iranian nuclear issue. This is also in line with China’s position. But it is our view that the resolution still contains elements that are not quite balanced and are not entirely reasonable, and some of the formulations are vague and lack of clarity. Difficulties may arouse when it comes to implementation. We have already stated our relevant position and concerns during the consultations.
3. China believes that, with more than a year’s efforts on the part of all the parties, particularly on the part of Iran and the Agency’s Secretariat, the verifications in Iran have registered continuous progress and achieved no small results. Although the report submitted by the DG to this session of the Board has not contained a definitive conclusion on the correctness and completeness of the declarations concerning the Iranian nuclear programme, progress has been continuous and steady in terms of the Agency’s understanding of Iran’s nuclear programme. In particular, conclusions have already been made in relation to Iran’s laser uranium enrichment and uranium conversion experiments activities, stating that Iran’s declarations on these two aspects are in consistence with the Agency’s assessment and these projects can be placed under the routine safeguards of the Agency. This indicates that the Iranian nuclear issue is continuously developing towards a direction favourable for a peaceful solution. At present, all parties should continue to show patience and exercise restraint in order to preserve the momentum of cooperation and avert a total waste of all our efforts made up to date.
4. China believes that a peaceful solution of the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations within the framework of the Agency is in the interests of all the parties. To maintain and to increase the momentum of such a peaceful solution is a common task of all the parties. China hopes that Iran will, continue to cooperate comprehensively with the Agency by truly fulfilling obligations it has undertaken, clear up the outstanding issues, ratify its additional protocol as soon as possible. At the same time, we also believe that the international community should take a just and objective attitude towards the justified concerns and legitimate rights and interests of Iran, and should respect the right of Iran to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy subject to its strict fulfillment of safeguards obligations.
China is prepared to continue its efforts with all other parties in a spirit of pragmatism and cooperation so as to achieve an early and appropriate solution of this issue within the framework of the Agency.
Thank you, Chairperson.