Permanent Mission of the Republic of Cuba to the United Nations Office at Vienna and to the International Organizations in Austria
Statement delivered by Ambassador Juan Antonio Fernández Palacios
Item 6 of the Agenda: “Verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015)”
Mr. President,
In July 2015 here in Vienna and after various years of contacts and diplomatic negotiations among the so called six powers and the Islamic Republic of Iran a landmark agreement was reached it was warmly and enthusiastically welcomed by the international community. The Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCAP) or Nuclear Agreement with Iran ended a long and unjustified dispute where peacekeeping tools and multilateral diplomacy prevailed.
In almost two years since then, it is worth recognizing the significant progress made by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan, which demonstrates its commitment to the use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Equally noteworthy is the systematic nature of the IAEA, in the work carried out to verify and monitor the compliance. The Agency and its inspectors have confirmed to us, over and over, that the Islamic Republic of Iran fulfils its obligations.
The decision of the US Government to withdraw from the JCAP is an unjustified and unilateral decision, which has no basis in the reality of the facts and the basis of the Agreement. From the Paris Agreement on Climate to the abandonment of the JCAP, the destruction of the multilateral negotiation frameworks seems to be the path chosen by the United States.
Cuba expresses its profound rejection to the decision of the US Government to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan or Nuclear Agreement with Iran, and to re-impose sanctions to this country. The failure to comply with these international commitments violates the rules of coexistence between States and it can have serious consequences for stability and security in the Middle East.
Being consistent with its policy of principles, Cuba also strongly opposes and rejects the application of unilateral coercive economic measures against any country and recognizes the legitimate right of all States to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, without any discrimination.
At the same time, it calls on the Security Council of the United Nations to fulfil the responsibility conferred on it by the UN Charter in the maintenance of international peace and security, demanding the fulfilment of its resolution 2231 (2015) on the Iranian nuclear issue, unanimously approved in that body.
Mr. President,
We reiterate our support for the early establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and other Weapons of Destruction in the Middle East, which would represent an essential contribution to the peace and security of all the peoples of that region. We consider that the compliance with the resolutions on the subject adopted by the General Conference is a matter of vital importance.
To conclude, we highlight the fundamental role played by the IAEA and its support to the international community in cooperation projects for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. This represents a vital contribution to development. We urge the Agency to redouble its efforts to increase the resources of the Technical Cooperation Program, having the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as its main axis.
Thank you very much.
(Embacuba Austria)