Iran Sanctions Committee Chair Tells Security Council Measures in Full Effect as Nuclear Programme Talks Continue
As the P5+1 and Iran continued negotiations on a comprehensive agreement relating to that country’s nuclear programme, the measures imposed by the Security Council through resolutions 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008) and 1929 (2010) remained in full effect, the Chair of the Iran Sanctions Committee told the 15-member body today, underlining the obligation of States to implement them.
Reiterating the Committee’s support to all parties pursuing the negotiations, Ambassador Román Oyarzun Marchesi of Spain said the body remained fully committed to the implementation of all relevant resolutions and stood ready to provide guidance to Member States that requested assistance.
In his quarterly briefing to the Council, he said no new incidents had been reported during the current reporting period, from 24 March to 22 June. In relation to past incidents investigated by the Panel of Experts, the Committee had reached out to Iran for comment on several occasions. He called on Iran to provide a response.
The Committee continued to assist States and international organizations in implementing the relevant Council measures, including considering whether proposals for technical assistance to Iran were permitted by the sanctions measures. The Committee welcomed such collaboration on matters of implementation and compliance and encouraged parties to continue to seek guidance from the Committee on the application of the Council’s measures.
The Committee received one notification from a Member State of its delivery of equipment intended for use in a light-water reactor to the Bushehr nuclear power plant, he said. As national implementation reports were an important means of promoting the implementation of the sanctions, the Committee encouraged States that had not yet submitted reports to do so as soon as possible.
Following the Council’s decision contained in resolution 2224 (2015) of 9 June to extend the Panel’s mandate until 9 July 2016, the Secretariat was undertaking the administrative steps related to the appointment of the Panel, he said.
In the debate that followed, speakers expressed hope that parties would press ahead with earnestness to reach a comprehensive agreement by the 30 June deadline, with the representative of the United Kingdom stressing that much remained to be done in very little time.
If there was a deal, the representative of the United States said, then the Council would have to act accordingly, but for now, all depended on further progress in the negotiations.
The representative of the Russian Federation said the key to a final agreement was strict implementation of decisions recently reached in Lausanne. China’s delegate said that a final agreement would be conducive to regional as well as international peace and security.
A robust agreement would include limitations on development of military capabilities, an inspections programme and provisions for the return of sanctions if the agreement was violated, the representative of France said, urging Iran to take courageous steps forward.
Also speaking today were the representatives of Chad, Jordan, New Zealand, Chile, Venezuela, Nigeria, Angola, Lithuania and Malaysia.
The meeting began at 3: p.m. and ended 3:54 p.m.
Statements
MATTHEW RYCROFT (United Kingdom) expressed hope that a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme could be reached by the 30 June deadline, despite “much to be done in very little time”. Until an agreement was reached, however, the bulk of sanctions remained in place and must be implemented as full. In that regard, he urged Iran to engage constructively with the Committee on its requests. A comprehensive deal was in everyone’s interest, providing assurances to the world that Iran’s programme was peaceful and allowing that country to integrate economically with the world. He pledged the United Kingdom’s continued intension to find such an agreement and hoped that Iran would do the same.
MICHELE SISON (United States), recounting progress in negotiation on the issue, stressed that the sanctions remained in force until an agreement was reached. Sanctions enforcement should continue, in that context, to be improved. She expressed concern over reports of continued violations of the sanctions regime and pledged that her country would continue to interrupt shipments that violated it. If there was a deal, then the Security Council would have to act accordingly, but for now, all depended on further progress in the negotiations.
WANG MIN (China) expressed hope that the Committee would continue to carry out its mandate in a balanced manner. Sanctions, however, were not the solution to the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme, for which a political solution was needed. The core elements of a comprehensive agreement were reached earlier this year in Switzerland, where all parties had demonstrated the requisite political will for a final agreement. He expressed hope that the parties would make a timely decision on reaching a final agreement, which was conducive to regional and international peace and security. China would continue to work tirelessly in that regard.
MAHAMAT ZENE CHERIF (Chad), welcoming the continuing negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran, expressed hope that a final agreement would be reached by the end of June. He encouraged all parties to act as constructively as possible to reach a successful conclusion to the talks. Voicing concern at espionage activities conducted at the venue of negotiations, he urged the competent authorities to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. He urged the Committee to continue efforts to facilitate implementation of Council resolutions. The negotiations amply demonstrated that diplomacy was more successful than threats.
VLADIMIR SAFRONKOV (Russian Federation) stressed the need for a constructive and business-like approach to resolving the issue of Iran’s nuclear programme. The key to successful negotiations and a final agreement was strict implementation of decisions reached in Lausanne earlier this year. The Russian Federation would continue to do everything to resolve the matter once and for all and lift the sanctions on Iran.
TANGUY STEHELIN (France) recounted the progress of negotiations over the past 20 months, calling the April agreement an important step towards re-establishing the trust of the international community in the exclusively peaceful intent of the Iranian nuclear programme. A robust agreement would include both limitations on development of military capabilities, an inspections programme and provisions for the return of sanctions if the agreement was violated. Iran must take courageous steps forward towards such an agreement. He regretted no progress in accommodating the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its requests and stressed that until a global settlement was reached, the sanctions regime remained in place; he expressed concern that Iran had continued to attempt to get around the measures.
MAHMOUD HMOUD (Jordan) expressed hopes that an agreement contributed to re-establishing trust and stemming proliferation in the region, with full control by the IAEA over areas under its aegis. It was important that any agreement reached include mechanisms to deal with possible violations in the future. The embargo on the sale and transport of arms must be re-examined. The Committee, meanwhile, should continue to perform its functions and the Iranians should clear up reports of violations in the past. All Member States should fulfil their obligations under the sanctions regime; he commended the Committee on the assistance it had provided to Member States in that regard.
PHILLIP TAULA (New Zealand), commending the 1737 Committee and its Panel of Experts on their work, reiterated support for the negotiation process and expressed hope that it would produce a comprehensive outcome. However, until an agreement was reached, the sanctions regime remained in place and the Committee and its Panel must perform their mandated functions. He encouraged the negotiating parties to sustain the commitment and political will required for a positive, peaceful and lasting solution.
CARLOS OLGUÍN CIGARROA (Chile), stressing the importance of the Committee in the implementation of the sanctions regime, called on the P5+1 and Iran to demonstrate flexibility to reach a final comprehensive agreement on that country’s nuclear programme. Such an agreement would instil confidence in the international community of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, and bolster peace and security. The current negotiations provided an encouraging message as to the value of diplomacy in resolving conflicts.
RAFAEL DARÍO RAMÍREZ CARREÑO (Venezuela) welcomed the significant progress made in negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran on that country’s nuclear programme. That demonstrated the value of dialogue and political commitment over threats and coercion. He expressed the final agreement to lead to a lifting of sanctions on Iran and to ushering in an era of prosperity for the people of that country. He urged on all parties involved to abide by their commitments and underlined the inalienable right of all States to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
ABIODUN RICHARDS ADEJOLA (Nigeria), noting that no new incidents were reported in the period under review, commended the Committee on its work, which helped maintain the integrity of decisions made by the Council. He urged Iran to respond to outstanding requests made by the Committee. It was in the interest of all to remain committed to reaching a comprehensive agreement on the issue through negotiations.
JOÃO IAMBENO GIMOLIECA (Angola), also welcoming the lack of incidents in the past reporting period and hoping for a successful outcome from the negotiation process, expressed hope that the results of negotiations would address the concerns of all on inspections and other matters. He hoped differences would be overcome by the 30 June deadline so that plans for lifting sanctions on Iran could begin.
DAINIUS BAUBLYS (Lithuania) remained convinced that rigorous implementation of sanctions was conducive to reaching an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. He called on Iran to provide access to all relevant information and to meet the requirements of the IAEA, and stressed that the sanctions remained in place until an agreement was reached. He hoped that the negotiations resulted in a long-term and sustainable solution to the issue.
SITI HAJJAR ADNIN (Malaysia), Council President, speaking in her national capacity, commended the Committee for navigating well through a significant period, as the parties worked on a negotiated solution that would bolster international peace and security. She hoped that the talks would continue to pave the way for a long-term, positive solution. She concurred that until an agreement was reached, the sanctions regime remained in effect and the Committee and its Panel of Experts must continue to carry out their mandates.