(As delivered)

 

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the United Nations Security Council Briefing on Non-Proliferation
(Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2231)
18 July 2016

 

 

Dear colleagues,

 

          I would like to thank Under Secretary General Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, Ambassador João Vale de Almeida representing the Joint Commission established by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Ambassador Roman Oyarzun Marchesi, Facilitator of Security Council Resolution 2231, for their detailed briefings on this important topic.

 

          The historic agreement on the JCPOA was achieved one year ago, by earnest negotiations by members of the international community after years of sanctions. The successful conclusion of negotiations on JCPOA demonstrates that the right combination of pressure and dialogue can move a country to accept a good agreement on the important and difficult issue. 

 

Dear colleagues,

 

          The JCPOA must be fully implemented in order to strengthen the international non-proliferation regime. We highly value and support the role that the IAEA is playing in this regard. The goal is to make sure that nuclear energy is used exclusively for peaceful purposes in Iran. Japan will continue to provide assistance in the field of nuclear safety among others, in order to contribute to ensure the implementation of the JCPOA.

 

          Another expected result of this historic agreement is the integration of Iran into the international community and the global economy. On January 16th, we welcomed the advent of “Implementation Day” of the JCPOA.  Member states of the United Nations have removed, in line with Resolution 2231, measures which had been applied based on past Security Council resolutions.

 

          Full implementation of Resolution 2231 by Iran and the international community will strengthen a relationship of trust among Iran and its neighbors, and thus will contribute to peace and security in the Middle East. As a long standing friend with historic ties with Iran, Japan believes that Iran can play an important and constructive role in such difficult issues as Syria and Yemen. In this regard, we view Iran’s ballistic missile launch test in March as unconducive to the stability of the region. We clearly informed Iran that such actions ran counter to our expectations.

 

Dear colleagues,

 

          Last week, the members of the JCPOA celebrated the first anniversary of this historic agreement, and stated that the JCPOA is being implemented. Mindful that Resolution 2231 is expected to last until October 2025, we are reminded that we are currently taking only first steps in a long process. I would like to conclude by urging Iran, JCPOA members, the Security Council and the member states of the UN to continue to work together to ensure that this historic agreement is fully implemented to the end. 

 

END