UPN, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 222: Chair's Statement following the meeting of the Joint Commission of JCPOA

Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2019-20
UPN Alm.del Bilag 222
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Chair's Statement following the meeting of the Joint Commission of

JCPOA

1 September, 2020

1. A meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive

Plan of Action (JCPOA) took place in Vienna on 1st September, 2020.

Under the terms of the JCPOA, the Joint Commission is responsible for

overseeing the implementation of the agreement. The Joint Commission

was chaired, on behalf of EU High Representative Josep Borrell, by

EEAS Secretary General Helga-Maria Schmid and was attended by

representatives of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom

and Iran at the level of Political Directors/Deputy Foreign Ministers.

2. All participants reaffirmed the importance of preserving the

agreement recalling that it is a key element of the global nuclear non-

proliferation architecture, as endorsed by UN Security Council

Resolution 2231 (2015). Full implementation of the agreement by all

sides remains crucial.

3. In light of recent discussions in the United Nations Security

Council in New York concerning the issue of the attempted

reinstatement of previously lifted UN sanctions, the participants

reaffirmed that the United States unilaterally announced its cessation of

participation in the JCPOA on 8 May 2018 and that it had not

participated in any JCPOA-related activities subsequently. Participants

reconfirmed that it therefore could not be considered as a participant

State. In this regard, participants also reaffirmed their various statements

and communications made previously at the Security Council including

that of the High Representative of 20 August as Co-ordinator of the

UPN, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 222: Chair's Statement following the meeting of the Joint Commission of JCPOA

JCPOA to the effect that the US cannot initiate the process of reinstating

UN sanctions under UNSC resolution 2231.

4. Participants welcomed the Joint Statement of Iran and the IAEA

dated 26 August the implementation of which has already started. In this

context they recalled the important role of the IAEA as the sole impartial

and independent international organisation responsible for the

monitoring and verification of nuclear non-proliferation commitments.

5. The Joint Commission addressed nuclear as well as sanctions lifting

issues under the agreement. Experts will continue discussions on all

issues of concern.

Participants reiterated the importance of nuclear non-proliferation

projects, in particular the Arak Modernisation Project and the stable

isotope project in Fordow. Taking into account the potential

consequences of the US decision in May to end the Arak waiver,

participants reiterated their strong support and collective responsibility

for the continuation of the project.

The meeting took place against the background of the COVID-19

pandemic. Participants expressed their solidarity with all countries

affected in their efforts to address the outbreak. The Joint Commission

had not been able to convene recently due to relevant travel restrictions.