Russia: JCPOA restoration benefits international community

Russia’s representative to the international organizations in Vienna says the restoration of the 2015 nuclear deal would benefit the international community by facilitating trade with Tehran and boosting security in West Asia.

Mikhail Ulyanov made the remarks in a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s 35-nation Board of Governors in Vienna where talks to revive the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) have dragged on how to bring the US back to compliance.

The JCPOA restoration is in the interest of the entire international community," he said.

Ulyanaov said the JCPOA facilitates trade and economic cooperation with the Islamic Republic and contributes to security in West Asia and worldwide.

"Members of the managing board and all pragmatic countries who are seriously concerned about the future of nuclear non-proliferation and international security, need to support the JCPOA talks underway in Vienna," he added.

"If the nuclear deal is not restored, all of this will continue and get worse. However, the IAEA has managed to ensure a proper level of transparency on Iran’s nuclear program so far …. For all we know, despite certain routine issues, Tehran is ready for cooperation and creates no obstacles for the work of inspectors," Ulyanov said.

EU says committed to JCPOA

On Tuesday, the European Union affirmed what it called "its resolute commitment" to the JCPOA.

"The EU is determined to continue working with the international community to preserve this agreement of strategic importance and a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture," it said in a statement.

The 27-nation bloc also called on all countries to support the JCPOA implementation in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2231 that endorsed the deal.

It further voiced support for the diplomatic process aimed at reviving the JCPOA, saying, "We welcome the discussions held in Vienna at various levels in view of a possible return of the US to the JCPOA, and the perspective of Iran's return to full JCPOA implementation.”

SS