Statement by the Nordic and Baltic States on Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic

Chair,

1. I  have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic states:  Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway Sweden and my own country, Denmark.

2. In various UN fora, our countries have affirmed our support for a stable, democratic, inclusive and prosperous Syria. We have underlined the unique opportunity created by the fall of the Assad regime. Because of this clear position we want to make a few points to reinforce the statement delivered by Ireland on behalf of the European Union, with which we are all aligned.

Chair,
 3.    We warmly welcome the fact that the Agency has been able to clarify and resolve its questions concerning the outstanding safeguards issues previously reported to the Board. Fifteen years after this Board found Syria, under its former government, in non-compliance with its safeguards obligations, it is particularly gratifying that this matter has been brought to a successful conclusion and the safeguards issue can be considered resolved.

4.    This milestone achievement is the result of the tireless efforts of the Agency and the Director-General and was made possible because the Syrian authorities have decided to turn the page by providing full transparency and cooperation with the Agency. We extend our gratitude to all who have contributed to this outcome.

5.    In addition to being a positive development for Syria and the region, this also represents a victory for the global non-proliferation regime and the credibility of the Agency’s safeguards system. The Director General’s report confirms the accuracy of the Agency’s and the Board’s previous findings. It also demonstrates that it was necessary and productive for the Board to remain seized of the issue until it could be fully resolved. We hope that other outstanding safeguards issues will also be solved through cooperation, in line with respective states’ safeguards agreements.

Chair,

6.    We have noted from the report that some results of the Agency’s sampling in Syria remain pending. We look forward to receiving these results in due course and to being kept informed of any further developments.

7.    We join others in calling on Syria to bring into force an Additional Protocol at the earliest opportunity. This will allow the Agency to provide broader assurance regarding the peaceful nature of Syria’s nuclear activities and will further strengthen the implementation of safeguards, as the country develops its use of nuclear science and technology.

8.    Finally, we thank the Member States who have tabled the resolution currently before the Board. We support its adoption as a clear expression of the international community’s support for Syria, the IAEA and for the broader non-proliferation regime.

Thank you, Chair.