TEHRAN (Iran News) – Iran’s Ambassador to the Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi hailed latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Safeguards Agreement (NPT) with Iran, saying the report indicated ‘positive and constructive’ prospects for bilateral cooperation.
Gharibabadi said the IAEA’s quarterly report, released earlier on Friday, dealt with the developments and progress of relations and cooperation between Iran and the UN nuclear watchdog over the past three months, IRNA reported.
The international body confirmed that Iran has let the IAEA inspect one of the two sites it agreed to grant access to in a joint statement issued last month at the end of a visit to Tehran by the IAEA’s chief.
“According to the report, the agency has been gained access to one of the two intended sites and the access to the second site has been scheduled for this month,” Gharibabadi said while speaking to reporters Friday evening,.
He described the report “significant,” adding that it can be scrutinized from two angles.
In terms of form, he said, the report “indicates the constructive interaction of the two sides during the period to reach a common understanding and find solutions” to issues.
“While in terms of content, this report clearly portrays a clear and positive image of the current status of cooperation and a positive and constructive outlook in relations between Iran and the IAEA, which is expected to be welcomed by the overwhelming majority of IAEA member states and the Board of Governors,” the envoy added.
Gharibabadi further noted that the report pointed to a trip to Tehran by the IAEA’s chief Rafael Grossi on August 24 and 25 and his talks with senior Iranian officials, which led to the issuance of a joint statement aimed at strengthening cooperation and building more confidence.
Iran has shown goodwill in its interaction with the IAEA’s new director general, and expects the joint statement and director general’s report be supported by members of the Board of Governors and other IAEA members and be considered a major step toward normalizing two or three Iran-related safeguards issues with independent, impartial and professional implementation of agreements and commitments, Gharibabadi said.
- source : Iran Daily