IAEA says to assist nuclear-weapon free zone in Mideast

NEW YORK, April 27 (KUNA) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) promised to continue to do its best to assist with the establishment of a nuclear-weapon free zone in the Middle East.
After the inauguration of the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the treaty on the non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, held today at the UN Headquarters, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano welcomed the recent announcement by the P5+1, or E3+3, countries and Iran on key parameters for a joint Comprehensive Plan Action.
As the Agency continue to play an essential role, including in verifying nuclear-related measures once the comprehensive agreement is reached between Iran and the six countries, Amano confirmed that they are not in a position to provide "credible assurance" about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran, and therefore to conclude that "all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities." Moreover, Amano called on Syria to cooperate fully with the Agency in connection with unresolved issues related to the Deir Al-Zour site and other locations.
On behalf of the Group of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif emphasized the role of the Treaty as the essential foundation for the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime as well as for promoting international cooperation and assistance in support of the inalienable right of States Parties to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The Non-Aligned Movement considered nuclear disarmament as its highest priority and reiterated once again that the continued existence of nuclear weapons poses the greatest threat to humanity, Zarif stressed.
"We remain extremely concerned at their possible use or threat of use and are convinced that their total elimination is the only absolute guarantee against such use or threat of use," he added.
He then expressed deep concern at the continued "lack of progress" in the implementation of nuclear disarmament obligations and commitments by the nuclear-weapon-States, which could undermine the object and purpose of the Treaty and the credibility of the non-proliferation regime.
Nevertheless, the NAM confirmed that since the Review Conference succeeded in agreeing to an action plan on nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and implementation of the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East, back in 2010, regrettably, Zarif said that the "status of the implementation of the 2020 action plan is far from encouraging." Moreover, Zarif expressed serious concern over the long delay in the implementation of the 1995 Resolution and urged the US, Britain and Russia -three cosponsors of the resolution- to take all necessary measures to fully implement it without any further delay.
At the opening of the conference, Ambassador Enrique Roman-Morey of Peru announced the election of Ambassador Taos Ferouki of Algeria as the new President of the conference.
Later today, US Secretary of State John Kerry to address the NPT conference, and later one-on-one meetings with Iranian Zarif, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. (end) mao.bs