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New Zealand statement
Thank you Madam Chair
New Zealand thanks the Director General for his report on the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement and relevant Security Council resolutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran. We also thank DDG Heinonen and the safeguards team for the technical briefing they provided on the report last week.
We welcome the signs of increased cooperation that are reflected in the latest report, including Iran’s provision of updated design information for the Fuel Manufacturing Plant and the access granted to the Agency to carry out a design information verification at the IR-40 reactor at Arak.
New Zealand regrets, however, that such cooperation has not extended to other outstanding issues about the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme and its possible military dimension. Instead, the report once again confirms that Iran has still not implemented the Additional Protocol or provided the Agency with the information and access it needs to be able to make progress in its efforts to provide assurance to the international community about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran.
Madam Chair
New Zealand welcomes the advice contained in the report that Iran has given the Agency access to carry out design information verification at the IR-40 Reactor at Arak. We note, however, that Iran still needs to provide updated and more detailed design information, in particular about the nuclear fuel characteristics, fuel handling and transfer equipment, and the nuclear material accountancy and control system.
New Zealand regrets that Iran has not yet resumed the implementation of the revised Code 3.1 of the Subsidiary Arrangements General Part on the early provision of design information, and has not yet fulfilled the Agency’s long-standing request for preliminary design information for the nuclear power plant that is to be built in Darkhovin.
Madam Chair
New Zealand is pleased to note that, with respect to Natanz, Iran and the Agency have recently agreed on improvements to containment and surveillance measures, on improvements regarding the provision of accounting and operating records, and on the requirements for timely access for unannounced inspections.
New Zealand encourages Iran to extend its cooperation with the Agency to all outstanding issues of concern, including through re-engagement with the Agency to clarify and bring closure to questions related to the alleged studies, procurement and R&D activities.
Madam Chair
New Zealand remains concerned that, contrary to the requirements of the Security Council and the request of the Board of Governors, Iran has not implemented the Additional Protocol, suspended its enrichment activities or its work on heavy water related projects. We also regret that Iran has yet to adopt other transparency measures which are essential to enable the Agency to provide credible assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran.
It is essential that Iran comply without delay with all IAEA Board of Governors decisions and UN Security Council resolutions in order to resolve all outstanding issues. In doing so, New Zealand continues to encourage Iran to take full advantage of the new opportunities for engagement, including with the E3+3 governments.
Thank you Madam Chair
