LONDON, Sept. 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued text of the following speech:
Chair,
The Director General's reportisclear. Syriahastakensignificantstepsto address the legacy of the Assad regime,andtosupport the Agency's efforts to resolve nuclear safeguards issueswhichhave been outstanding for fifteen years. Today isanopportunityto recognise Syria's journey,and for this Board todemonstrateits shared commitment to the international non-proliferation architecture and the value of cooperation with theIAEA.
I would like to make three points:
Firstly, to commendandcongratulateSyria.The UK stands with Syria as it addresses the legacy of the Assad regime andwarmlywelcomes the constructive engagement between Syria and the Agency, includingtheDirector General's visits,asimportant stepsforward after many years in which meaningful cooperation was absent. We recognise theextensiveefforts being undertaken by the SyrianGovernmentduring a period of considerable national recovery and transition.
Weencourage Syria tomaintainthe positive momentum that has beenestablishedin recent months. We encourage Member States to support the Agency's efforts and, whereappropriate,assistSyria in meeting its international obligations.
Looking ahead, we hopeSyriawillbuild on theprogressachieved todate by signingandbringinginto forceanAdditional Protocol,providingthe Agency with theadditionaltools tosupport transparency and international confidence.
Second,torecognisethe Agency's role.Itsenduring focus on uncovering the truth, based onverified evidence and rigorous analysis,meansthat we now know that the Assad regime built an undeclared nuclear reactor at Diar Al Zour.We commendtheIAEA'sprofessional approach.
Enduringcooperation willbeessential.The Agencyshould continueitssafeguards andverification activities inSyria,inaccordance withits mandate.AndSyriashouldcontinueitsfull,timelyand transparent cooperationthat has enabledthissignificantprogress.
Third,theBoardof Governorswasright to keep this item onitsagendauntil now.While Syria's compliance justifies its removal from the Board's regular agenda, thereremainsa wider story to be told.The UK will continuetakingclose interest in the Agency's ongoing verification activities andwe look forward tofurtherupdates, including on the origin of the material in Syria.Such information will be important to understanding how these activities occurred and helping to ensure they cannot be repeated.
Chair,
Finally, we are grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Hashemite Kingdom ofJordan,and the Kingdom of Morocco for their draftresolutionbefore the Board today. Wesupportthisresolution,which reflects thesignificant progressachieved and provides for the continuation of the Agency's safeguards and verification activities.
We recognise thisimportant milestone for Syriaand for the Agency's efforts to address longstanding safeguards issues through dialogue,transparencyand cooperation.Itdemonstratesthat the international non-proliferation regime can address even the most longstandingissueswhen States engage constructively with the Agency.
Thank you, Chair.
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