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France stresses opportunities to save JCPOA

18 Jun 2019 - 11:21

France endeavors to save the nuclear deal between Iran and world countries agreed in 2015 as Iran warned of possibility to suspend more of its obligations.


“We will do all we can with our partners to dissuade Iran and find a path to a possible path for dialogue," Emanuel Macron said in Paris on Monday during a press conference alongside his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Reuters reported.

The agreement was made between the P5+1 group of states -- the United States, the UK, France, Russia, and China plus Germany -- and Iran in Vienna in July 2015.

However, the US left the deal last May. Bowing under Washington’s pressure, Europe too has been throwing only verbal support behind the agreement ever since.

Last month, Iran announced that it would suspend the implementation of some of its commitments under the deal. It warned that in 60 days it would resume refining uranium to a higher fissile degree if Europe failed again to ensure Iran’s interests under the accord despite the US’s pressure.

Earlier on Monday, the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said the country would surpass the uranium stockpile limit, set under the nuclear deal, from June 27.

"This is based on the Articles 26 and 36 of the (nuclear deal), and will be reversed once other parties live up to their commitments," Behrouz Kamalvandi added.

Addressing the remarks, Macron said, "I regret, of course, the Iranian announcements made today.”

He, however, reminded that the United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), “has underlined Iran is respecting its commitments” under the nuclear agreement.

“We strongly encourage it to continue its patient and responsible behavior," the French head of state noted.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief also reacted to the announcement, saying Iran was still technically complying with the deal and urging the country to continue to abide by the accord.

Federica Mogherini said the European Union, which coordinated the talks leading to the agreement, would wait for reports by the IAEA to make its assessment of Iran’s nuclear measure.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres echoed the call, asking Iran to stick to the deal. Guterres also urged other signatories to deal to support its implementation.

Meanwhile, although the measure adopted by Tehran does not exceed its nuclear commitments, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned that the EU would not accept the country’s reduction of nuclear obligations.


KD


Story Code: 425507

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