Remaining parties reaffirm commitment to Iran nuclear deal

Remaining parties of the Iran nuclear deal reaffirmed the importance of preserving the agreement as a key element of the global nuclear non-proliferation architecture, according to a statement released by the European Union's diplomatic service Wednesday.

The statement was published on the website of the European External Action Service (EEAS) following the meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, held at Palais Coburg in the Austrian capital.

The Joint Commission was chaired, on behalf of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles, 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 Ambassadors/ Political Directors/Deputy Foreign Ministers.

The meeting was held as related parties try to find a way to persuade Tehran to come back into compliance with the JCPOA after Tehran made a series of steps reducing commitments in retaliation for the U.S. withdrawal from the multilateral accord and reimposing sanctions.

Serious concerns were expressed regarding Iran's steps in reducing its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA, while participants of the meeting also acknowledged that the re-imposition of U.S. sanctions did not allow Iran to reap the full benefits arising from sanctions-lifting, according to the statement.

Participants welcomed positive developments in the processing of first transactions by INSTEX (a barter system for trade with Iran), and the addition of four European countries as new shareholders, while acknowledging the importance of further strengthening the instrument.

They also took note of recent developments concerning the Arak Modernisation Project and the Fordow facility as essential part of the JCPOA.

The meeting took place against the background of the COVID-19 outbreak. Participants expressed their solidarity with China, Iran and all countries affected, in their efforts to address the outbreak and, in particular, the contribution of China and those later affected to the global fight against this public health challenge.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)