Japan welcomes Iran`s signing of NPT protocol as a `positive step`
IRNA
Tokyo, Dec 19, IRNA -- Japan on Friday welcomed Iran`s signing the additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), stressing that Tokyo considers the move as a positive step. Japan`s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hatsuhisa Takashima told IRNA that Iran`s signature on the protocol will help remove the concerns of the international community regarding Iran`s nuclear energy program. Ali-Akbar Salehi, Iran`s representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in Vienna on Thursday signed the NPT protocol that allows snap inspections of Iran`s nuclear sites. Salehi told reporters after signing the protocol at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna that Iran`s signing of the protocol showed that the Islamic Republic is ready to let international inspectors scrutinize its nuclear program to show that Tehran is not developing nuclear arms. Takashima stressed that signing the protocol is not enough, stressing that implementing the text of the protocol is also important. He said Tokyo had called on Tehran to take a responsible measure toward signing the NPT protocol, stressing that Iran`s signing the protocol on Thursday was a "good response" that Japan had received in that connection. Takashima also stressed that signing the protocol will have a positive effect on Tehran-Tokyo relations. He further called on the Islamic Republic to continue cooperation with the IAEA before it finalizes domestic legal procedures over the protocol. Elsewhere in his remarks, Takashima rejected reports that Iran and Japan have stopped talks over the development of Iran`s Azadegan oilfield, stressing that the talks are still continuing. "As far as I know, the talks between Iran and the Japanese consortium are still continuing," he said. Takashima`s remarks on Iran`s nuclear move follow the comments of Japan`s Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi also on Friday to welcome Iran`s signature of the NPT protocol. Kawaguchi, in a statement, recalled Tokyo`s efforts to provide Tehran with consultations on the protocol in August, stressing that Japan has put forth significant political efforts to persuade Iran to sign it. He further expressed hope that Iran would soon finish internal procedures to legalize signing the protocol, and accordingly set the stage to implement it. Iran`s conclusion of the protocol has been widely praised by world leaders and international figures. The IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei, EU external affairs chief Christopher Patten, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini have all spoken highly of Iran`s move. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the arbitration body of the Expediency Council (EC) Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani said on Friday that Iran`s signature of the nuclear agreement had put the ball into the court of the West, stressing that Iran now expects to receive assistance to obtain the know-how for the peaceful exploitation of atomic energy. AA/214 End End
