EU, PGCC welcome Iran`s signing of Additional Protocol
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Brussels, May 18, IRNA -- The European Union and Persian Gulf Cooperation Council welcomed Monday the signing by Iran of the Additional Protocol to the NPT and also Tehran`s suspension of its uranium enrichment program. "The EU and the PGCC welcomed Iran`s signature in December 2003 of the Additional Protocol to its Safeguards Agreement and recalled that Iran has committed itself to act in accordance with its provisions, pending its entry into force, and urged its implementation and early ratification," said a joint communique issued after the 14th EU-PGCC joint council and ministerial meeting late Monday night. The two sides also welcomed the decision by Iran of February 24, 2004, to extend the scope of its suspension of enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, and its confirmation that the suspension applies to all facilities in Iran. "In accordance with this decision, they expected Iran to proceed with the full suspension of all such activities, and to take all necessary steps to build up confidence." They also urged Iran "to provide full and proactive cooperation with the IAEA in resolving all outstanding questions in a spirit of full transparency." Both sides, however, expressed "concern at the lack of progress towards resolution of the territorial conflict between the United Arab Emirates and Iran over Abu Musa and the Tunbs Islands." "They reiterated their support for a peaceful solution to the conflict in accordance with international law, either through direct negotiations or by referring the issue to the International Court of Justice," said the communique. NK/NA/210
