S/PV.6786 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. At this meeting, the Security Council will hear a briefing by Ambassador Néstor Osorio, Permanent Representative of Colombia, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). I now give the floor to Ambassador Osorio.

I have the honour to present the 90-day report of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), in accordance with paragraph 18 (h) of the resolution. The report covers the period from 21 March to 11 June 2012. During the reporting period, the Committee held informal consultations on 1 June. The Committee also continued to carry out its duties through informal exchanges and the no-objection procedure envisioned by paragraph 15 of the guidelines for the conduct of its work. During the informal consultations of 1 June, the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts briefed the Committee on the Panel’s 2012 final report (S/2012/395). She stressed that the Panel of Experts had concluded that, while sanctions were effective in slowing the prohibited nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes of the Islamic Republic of Iran by increasing the cost of procuring certain items, sanctions had not yet compelled that country to accept a negotiated solution. The Coordinator noted also the uneven implementation of Security Council resolutions by States and recommended that all States be reminded of the need to report incidents of non-compliance. She reviewed the Panel’s most recent outreach activities, which included consultations with States and participation in conferences and seminars. Pointing to the report’s recommendations and conclusions and their usefulness for the 193 States Members of the Organization, the Coordinator expressed hope that the Committee would agree on the report’s publication. Committee members welcomed the Panel’s final report, which was characterized by some as being of very good quality, well-researched and meeting high methodological standards. Several Committee members asked that the Committee follow up on the reports by regularly considering new names of individuals and entities on the list; issuing notices with guidelines for implementing the resolution; and publishing the reports in the quickest possible time frame. Other Committee members stressed the need for the Panel to continue to work within its mandate. Several members requested that the open briefing of the Chair be held soon with the participation of the Panel. Noting the linkages with other sanctions regimes, several Committee members recommended that the Panel explore possible synergies with other expert groups. During the reporting period, the Committee agreed to add two additional individuals and one entity to the list of persons and entities subject to United Nations sanctions that were involved in incidents of non-compliance reported to the Committee and investigated by the Panel of Experts. On 24 May 2012, the Committee sent a note verbale to all Member States informing them of those designations. The Committee will continue to discharge its mandate, as appropriate. The Committee has received a number of communications relating to the implementation of the relevant Security Council measures. One State transmitted, on 21 May, a report on the shipments confiscated by its respective authorities during the first quarter of 2012 and measures taken “to prevent transit of any shipments to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran which are suspected to contain prohibited items that can be used in Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes”. The Committee, assisted by the Panel of Experts, is following up on this communication. Another State sought clarification on whether a certain Iranian individual was the same person as the individual whose name appears on the Committee’s consolidated list. A third State inquired whether certain items would contribute to the development of technologies in support of Iran’s proliferation-sensitive nuclear activities. Lastly, a State asked for guidance with respect to the scope and application of the assets-freeze measures imposed by the Council through its resolutions on the Islamic Republic of Iran. In all of those cases, the Committee is gathering information from its members in preparing its responses. With regard to the incidents reported, on 23 March, the Committee sent letters to six Member States concerning a previously reported inspection and seizure, on 28 August 2010, of a container on board the vessel MS Finland. The Committee received communications in connection with this case concerning a transfer of arms and related materiel from the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Syrian Arab Republic. In response to the Committee letter asking for additional information regarding its involvement in this incident, the Syrian Arab Republic denied that the items were destined for one of its ports. Another State informed the Committee that it was still collecting information regarding the shipment and the company involved and asked for a deadline extension. The Committee, with the assistance of the Panel of Experts, answered a general query sent by the Council of Bureaux, which represents the International Association of National Motor Insurers’ Bureaux, regarding the sanctions measures and their application. During the reporting period, the Committee received three notes verbales from a Member State containing notifications with reference to paragraph 5 of resolution 1737 (2006) and paragraph 4 of resolution 1747 (2007) concerning payments made under a contract entered into prior to the listing of a person or entity. On 29 March, the Committee adopted its annual report for 2011. The Committee, with the participation of the Panel of Experts, will hold, in the afternoon of 9 July, in Conference Room 5, the open briefing that was previously announced. The purpose of the meeting is to present the Committee and Panel’s mandates and activities and to answer questions. Missions to the United Nations will be officially notified of this event in due course. Regarding the Panel’s activities, the Panel submitted to the Committee a report regarding a previously reported violation. As previously mentioned, the Panel also submitted its final report on 9 May, in accordance with paragraph 2 of resolution 1984 (2011). The final report will be issued as Security Council document S/2012/395. I would also like to recall that, by its resolution 2049 (2012), adopted on 7 June, the Security Council extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts until 9 July 2013. With respect to the issue of national implementation of sanctions measures, I would like to note that on 30 April, the Panel of Experts transmitted to the Committee, in accordance with paragraph 1 (b) (i) of the Committee’s programme of work, a quarterly assessment of the reports on the implementation of the resolutions submitted by Member States pursuant to paragraph 31 of resolution 1929 (2010), for the period from 1 February to 30 April 2012. On the same issue, I am happy to note that, during the reporting period, the Committee received communications from Viet Nam and Luxembourg transmitting their respective reports on the implementation of resolution 1929 (2010). On that note, I conclude my report.

I thank His Excellency Ambassador Osorio for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council. I wish to request that Council members limit their statements to no more than five minutes, in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously.

I also thank Ambassador Osorio for his briefing today. Over the past three months, we have had new reminders that Iran’s illicit nuclear programme remains one of the gravest threats to international peace and security before the Council. Since we last met (see S/PV.6737), the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported, yet again, that Iran has continued to expand and accelerate its prohibited uranium enrichment activities and heavy water-related work, in contravention of the Council’s multiple resolutions. Iran continues to install centrifuges at Natanz and the Fordow fuel enrichment plant, near Qom, two previously clandestine facilities. Iran continues to accumulate a stockpile of low-enriched uranium, enough for several nuclear weapons if further enriched to higher levels. Iran continues to enrich uranium to nearly 20 per cent, a level that is close to weapons grade, in quantities that exceed its declared needs. Those technical developments alone are alarming. But international concern is compounded by Iran’s repeated denial of IAEA requests for access to the locations, documents and personnel required to resolve outstanding issues related to the possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme. We welcome ongoing discussions between Iran and the IAEA. But those discussions must produce results, unlike similar discussions in the past. We regret that, to date, Iran has not followed through on its reported agreement to comply with the IAEA’s structured approach for resolving the Agency’s concerns about the possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme. Success will only be measured and defined by Iran’s actual actions. It is not enough to merely sign a document. Iran must take the steps necessary to resolve the longstanding issues with its nuclear programme, without further delay. Those developments remind us of the continuing importance of the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We fully support the Committee’s decision last month to impose targeted sanctions on two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps individuals and one entity involved in arms smuggling. That action also sends the clear message that there are consequences for those who assist in the evasion of sanctions. We urge the Committee to make more such designations in the near future. We also commend the Panel of Experts on the sanctions imposed on Iran for its excellent work and we welcome the Council’s renewal last month of the Panel’s annual mandate. The Panel recently produced a well-researched final report (S/2012/395). It has continued to adhere to high methodological standards and has carried out its mandate in a professional manner. We note with great concern the Panel’s recent characterization of Syria as a central party to illicit Iranian arms transfers. That finding is all the more troubling in the light of the recent violence perpetrated against the Syrian people. Over the past two years, the Panel has assembled substantial evidence proving Syria’s role as a repeat violator of United Nations sanctions on Iran. Syria’s refusal to implement its United Nations obligations should be a matter of central concern to the Council. We also note the troubling information regarding Iran’s continued launches using ballistic missile technology, in violation of paragraph 9 of resolution 1929 (2010). Iran’s continued missile activity, as well as its links to North Korea’s prohibited ballistic missile-related activities, merits further scrutiny. The United States remains determined to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and we remain committed to doing so through a comprehensive dual-track approach that includes both pressure and diplomatic engagement. Since the Council’s last meeting, the permanent five plus one group (P5+1) and Iran have held two rounds of talks, first on 14 April in Istanbul and then in Baghdad on 23 and 24 May. Preparations are now under way for a third round of talks, in Moscow, next week. In Baghdad, as part of our agreement in Istanbul, the P5+1 laid out clear proposals to begin to address the Iranian nuclear issue through initial confidence-building. That included proposals dealing with the previously undeclared enrichment facility at Fordow and all aspects of Iran’s nearly 20 per cent enrichment. We also put ideas on the table regarding reciprocal steps we would be prepared to take. We have said repeatedly that the window for diplomacy is not open-ended. We have sought to impress upon Iran the urgency of the situation and have made clear that we will not engage in an endless process of talks that do not produce concrete results. We remain firm, clear and united in seeking a swift diplomatic resolution of the concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme. The P5+1 are ready for serious negotiations. We hope that Iran will decide to take concrete steps to address the international community’s concerns.

We are grateful to the Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), Mr. Néstor Osorio, Permanent Representative of Colombia, for his briefing on the Committee’s work. During the reporting period, the Committee continued to actively carry out its assigned tasks. In view of the heightened sensitivity of the sanctions issue, it is particularly important for the Committee to act in a balanced and objective manner, without violating its mandate. That must continue in the future as well. We note certain progress in the work of the Committee’s Panel of Experts. The latest report of the Panel (S/2012/395) seems more balanced as compared to previous documents, while the majority of recommendations fall mostly within the mandate. It is important that the Experts build their activities on an impartial, independent basis while using only reliable sources and credible information. Russia fully complies with all Security Council sanctions against Iran. However, we believe that the effectiveness of the sanctions regime and, overall, the collective nature and unified action of the international community on outstanding issues concerning the Iranian nuclear programme are being hampered by additional unilateral restrictions. In a number of cases, the sanctions can have an extraterritorial effect, which is categorically unacceptable from an international legal point of view. The members of the international community must scrupulously comply with relevant Security Council resolutions, and not violate them. Russia has always called for a solution to matters linked to the Iranian nuclear programme based upon purely mutual political, diplomatic methods carried out incrementally and with respect for the interests of the participants in the negotiations. The six international negotiators have made concrete proposals on the Iranian nuclear programme that have been submitted to Iran during the negotiating round in Baghdad on 23 and 24 May. We trust that the upcoming meeting in Moscow on 18 and 19 June will include the start of comprehensive consideration of the proposals. We trust that all delegations, including Iran, will come to the Russian capitol ready for a constructive dialogue, which will allow us to achieve positive results, including a gradual convergence of positions and further progress aimed at the resolution of existing differences. Of course, we understand that in Moscow we will not be able to agree on all of the issues concerning the parties. However we think that the negotiating process must absolutely continue beyond the upcoming round.

I also thank Ambassador Osorio for his briefing. The Iranian nuclear programme remains one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The E3+3 group of countries continue to strive for a diplomatic solution to the issues revolving around Iran’s nuclear programme. We have engaged in new rounds of negotiations in Istanbul and Baghdad. We have reached an agreement with Iran regarding the next round of talks, which are to take place in Moscow on 18 and 19 June. In our view, the Moscow meeting should bring about substantial progress. Meetings for the sake of meetings are not what we are aiming at. We call on Iran to engage seriously in meaningful discussions on concrete steps aimed at restoring confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. It is now up to Iran to seize the moment and take the negotiations forward in a constructive spirit. We are seriously concerned about Iran’s lack of cooperation to date, despite the many efforts made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The latest round of talks between the IAEA and Iran failed to produce any concrete results. Granting the IAEA access to Parchin is still an outstanding issue. We also regret that, according to IAEA reports, Iran is continuing to step up its uranium enrichment activities at the Fordow and Natanz facilities. It remains imperative that Iran intensify its cooperation with the Agency with a view to resolving all outstanding substantive issues. Against that background, it is crucial that the existing sanctions regime be properly implemented by all Member States. The Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) and its Panel of Experts have an important role to play in that regard. Last week, the Security Council voted unanimously to extend the Panel’s mandate for another year. The fact that all 15 members supported the extension demonstrates their wholehearted backing for the Panel’s work. We welcome the latest report of the Panel of Experts (S/2012/395). We consider it a useful and well-researched document that should help Member States in their implementation efforts. The Council has released that final report to a broader membership. That is an important step  — not only for reasons of transparency but also in the interests of providing the United Nations membership with appropriate guidance on sanctions implementation. We welcome the planned open briefing in July, at which the Committee Chairman will explain to the broader United Nations membership how to implement the Iran resolutions most effectively. Germany stands ready to engage in a serious dialogue on the valuable recommendations made in the report. One important recommendation has been particularly highlighted. We strongly support the listing of sanctions violators, since that demonstrates that anyone who disregards the Council’s resolution will face consequences. As the Committee Chairman reported today, the Committee has agreed to the listing of two individuals and one entity involved in sanctions violations. We are keen to see the Committee continue to operate effectively in such a manner. It is deplorable that Iran continues to be in violation of its international obligations. We reiterate our concern over the weapons exports from Iran to other countries, especially to Syria, but also to Hizbullah. The Panel must continue to investigate incidents wherever and whenever deemed necessary. Let me reiterate our determination to find a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. We remain ready to pursue a dialogue with Iran aimed at restoring international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme. It is in that spirit that we will approach the negotiations in Moscow next week.

We wish to thank Ambassador Osorio for his briefing to the Council. We also wish to congratulate the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 1929 (2010) on the recent extension of its mandate, as well as to thank it for the report submitted to the Committee in May (S/2012/395). We welcome the Chairman’s report to the Council on the informal meeting on 1 June. We find that to be a good step forward in the interests of transparency. In that regard, we continue to emphasize that any action of the Committee should enjoy the consensus of its members and should remain focused on attaining a peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. South Africa is encouraged by the ongoing engagement between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran over concerns about the Iranian nuclear programme. We believe that that engagement is consistent with decisions taken at the November 2011 session of the IAEA Board of Governors. We note that, as a result of Director General Amano’s visit to Tehran, the Agency and Iran have agreed to resolve the outstanding issues through a structured approach. We urge Iran and the Agency to continue working in a constructive and flexible manner and to seek continued opportunities for both parties to engage in discussions on the remaining differences as soon as possible. Furthermore, South Africa is encouraged by the positive atmosphere that appears to have characterized the recent talks between the E3+3 and Iran. We note that a further round of discussions will be held in Moscow and we encourage all those involved in that process to diligently work for progress and a positive outcome, which is the expectation of the rest of the international community. South Africa therefore hopes that the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) will be able to carefully examine the report submitted by the Panel of Experts and agree on a way forward in a manner consistent with calls for a peaceful resolution to concerns about the nature of Iran’s nuclear activities. It is our conviction that the process must also avoid creating further antagonisms, which will only harden positions among States involved in resolving the concerns of the international community. South Africa calls upon Iran to continue to cooperate with the IAEA and to fulfil its obligations in order that all outstanding issues can be clarified and confidence restored in the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. A sustainable solution will be one that restores international confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme while respecting Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, consistent with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. In conclusion, South Africa looks forward to active participation in the Committee, with the objective of contributing towards a sustainable solution.

Let me join previous speakers in thanking the Permanent Representative of Colombia, Ambassador Néstor Osorio, for his comprehensive briefing. At the same time, we wish to express our acknowledgement of his demonstrated leadership at the head of the activities of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2049 (2012), adopted last week, which extended the mandate of the Panel of Experts that deals with the sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran. As we have stated on several occasions, we believe that the Panel of Experts is an indispensable component of the sanctions regime applied to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Similarly, it does useful and practical work in support of the 1737 Committee. Its mandate, under the guidance of the Committee, to collect, analyse and verify information provided by States is important. Allow me to briefly highlight some points on the 90 day report. First, our primary focus must continue to be the effective implementation of the resolution adopted by the Council. The designation during the reporting period of two individuals and an additional entity involved in incidents of non-compliance, as reported to the Committee, show us that the mandate is being correctly implemented. Secondly, we commend the outreach activities for Member States, conducted by the Panel of Experts in the framework of visits, information on issues relating to the application of sanctions, monitoring the application of sanctions and an analysis of trends and best practices, as well as participation in seminars around the world. Thirdly, we take note of the final report of the Panel of Experts, whose recommendations we support. We hope that the report will be published, in the interests of transparency. Fourthly, we note that during the reporting period the Committee received notifications from Member States on reports of alleged violations. We wish to commend the Committee, which, with the support of the Panel of Experts, responded to those reports at the same time as it stepped up its outreach activities in order to prevent future sanctions violations. Fifthly, we support the holding of an open briefing of the Committee, with the participation of the Panel of Experts, on 9 July. With respect to the current political situation, we deem highly positive the dialogue and rounds of talks that began in Istanbul in April, continued in Baghdad last month and will go on in Moscow this month between Iran and the 3+3 group. We strongly support the dual-track approach and hope for the creation of a favourable environment and for a genuine commitment to finding a negotiated solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Finally, Guatemala reaffirms the importance of the balanced application of the three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: non-proliferation, disarmament and the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The Treaty lays the groundwork for what must be a serious commitment to ensuring that Iran complies with its obligations under the agreement, while ensuring also that its right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is respected.

At the outset, I would like to thank Ambassador Néstor Osorio for presenting the 90-day report of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). We commend his stewardship of the Committee and the professionalism with which the Committee has been implementing its mandate. I would like to welcome the submission of the final report (S/2012/395) by the Panel of Experts, which was issued as an official document of the Security Council last week. We also welcome the extension last week of the mandate of the Panel till 9 July 2012. We expect that the Panel will continue to work under the direction of the 1737 Committee and assist the Committee in the implementation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. We appreciate the work, including the outreach activities, that the Panel has been doing and encourage it to continue its work in strict compliance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, in an independent, objective, transparent and impartial manner. The Panel should also continue the practice of briefing the Committee regularly on all its activities. We also support the Chair’s intention to hold an open briefing along with the Coordinator of the Panel of Experts in July 2012 for interested Member States on their mandates and to answer questions that Member States may have. We think that the briefing will also provide an opportunity for the Committee and the Panel to get the views of the wider United Nations membership. India has consistently supported the right of all nations to peaceful uses of nuclear energy in accordance with the relevant international treaties to which they are a party. Iran should fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to restore the confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. In that connection, we welcome the recent exchanges between Iran and the IAEA, including the visit of the Director General of the Agency to Tehran. We hope that the outstanding technical issues concerning the Iranian nuclear programme will be resolved peacefully through Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA. We also welcome the talks between the five plus one group and Iran held in Istanbul and Baghdad during the last two months. We think that those talks should continue and hope that the parties will be able to make progress in the next round, which is scheduled for next week in Moscow. India supports the full implementation of the relevant resolutions of the Security Council concerning the Iranian nuclear issue. It is necessary that, in implementing those resolutions, all efforts be made so that legitimate trade and economic activities do not suffer. Before I conclude, I would like to assure Ambassador Osorio of my delegation’s continued cooperation to facilitate the work of the 1737 Committee.

I should like to thank Ambassador Néstor Osorio for his briefing on the activities of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) and its Panel of Experts. I take this opportunity to commend the Panel — whose mandate was extended by resolution 2049 (2012), of 7 June 2012  — for the considerable efforts it is deploying. We note that, since the adoption of resolution 1737 (2006), relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the various bodies established to combat the proliferation of nuclear weapons have not improved. Rather, in recent years, indeed in recent months, the crisis of confidence has actually worsened. The February 2012 report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stresses that enrichment activities have continued and that the Iranian nuclear programme may have been extended to military activities, particularly at the Parchin site. The findings of the report (S/2012/395) of the Panel of Experts created pursuant to resolution 1929 (2010) seems largely to confirm the IAEA’s suspicions. We regret that the IAEA’s continuously expressed will to inspect that site has not yet received a favourable response from the Iranian authorities. That approach is typical of the cooperation between Iran and the Agency — a cooperation that the Board of Governors of the IAEA would very much like to intensify. Against that background, Togo calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to fulfil its commitments under not only the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons but also its agreements with the IAEA and the negotiations with the five plus one group. My country welcomes the continuation of those negotiations on 23 and 24 May in Baghdad. Another similar meeting is scheduled to be held on 18 and 19 June. Togo also takes note of the statement made by the Iranian President to the effect that his country is willing to pursue negotiations and voices the hope that the Moscow meeting will lead to an outcome that could constitute a guarantee in the context of renewed relations between Iran and other partners. With respect to sanctions, I share the view that, regrettably, sanctions imposed under the auspices of the United Nations coexist with a myriad of other sanctions imposed by States or groups of States. The report of the Panel of Experts notes that overlap with concern. While some countries say that they are bound only by United Nations sanctions, others state that they are applying both categories simultaneously. Concerning reports, given that few States have provided the Council with reports on the implementation of the resolutions relating to the Iranian nuclear issue, it would seem to be to the benefit of all countries if outreach activities were regularly conducted through visits, inspections and participation in seminars and workshops. We think that is the best way for the Committee to get its point across and to highlight the role of States in implementing resolutions.

Like others, I wish to thank Ambassador Néstor Osorio for his briefing and to commend him for the excellent work accomplished under his leadership by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), on Iran. I fully share in the views expressed in his proposals and conclusions. Concerning the final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2012/395), let me underline in particular its useful recommendations. We also welcome the report’s publication as a measure of transparency and of support for the implementation of the Security Council’s resolutions. We commend the Committee for its designation of two additional individuals and one entity involved in non-compliance activities. We share the view that new designations should be considered on a regular basis and that the lists referred to in resolution 1929 (2010) should be updated when appropriate. We also support the intention of intensifying outreach activities to encourage Member States to effectively implement the measures and provisions of the sanctions regime. The sanctions regime is having an undeniable effect in slowing Iran’s capability to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. It is largely serving its purpose as a stimulus for the resumption of serious and credible talks. In that context, we are encouraged by the intense and detailed discussions that took place in Baghdad in May, as well as by the prospect of continued negotiations in Moscow. Significant differences remain, however, and it is imperative that discussions be pursued further and common ground expanded as swiftly as possible. Likewise, we hope that meaningful cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) can be resumed following Director General Amano’s recent trip to Tehran, notwithstanding the disappointing results of the meeting held in Vienna last Friday. We call on Iran to sign and implement the structured approach document between the IAEA and Iran, in order to ensure that cooperation will be provided in full, thus enabling the Agency to clarify outstanding issues and draw conclusions on the nature of the Iranian nuclear programme. Although we agree with the principle that sanctions are not an end in themselves, they clearly remain a crucial element of the dual-track approach that Portugal has supported since the beginning of this process. Iran has still to show willingness to comply fully with Security Council resolutions, meaning that it must suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities and heavy-water related projects, as well as grant the IAEA unrestricted access to all its nuclear sites. Portugal again reaffirms its longstanding commitment to a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, in accordance with the dual-track strategy, bearing in mind the urgency of fully addressing the international community’s concerns about the nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. Let me conclude by reiterating our appreciation and full support for Ambassador Osorio and for the work of the Committee he so ably chairs.

I would first like to thank Ambassador Néstor Osorio for his work as Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) and for his comprehensive briefing on the Committee’s activities. We note the work done so far by the Panel of Experts created pursuant to paragraph 29 of resolution 1929 (2010) under the direction of the Committee, and welcome the extension of its mandate until 9 July 2013. It is essential that the Panel of Experts continue its outreach activities, which play a key role in increasing the number of national implementation reports from Member States. We commend the efforts made by the Committee to enhance the implementation of the sanctions measures. Azerbaijan welcomes the initial draft of the Panel’s final report (S/2012/395) and stands ready to engage in fruitful discussion in that regard. It is of the utmost importance to the Republic of Azerbaijan that it prevent the use of its territory as a transit route for illicit trafficking of items and materials related to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and weapons technology. In our view, preventing the spread of nuclear weapons is the most important security challenge currently confronting the international community. But in pursuing those goals, we cannot deny any country’s right to develop its nuclear industry for exclusively peaceful purposes under international supervision.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Ambassador of Colombia, in his role as Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), for his briefing, as well as to express our appreciation for his efforts in steering the Committee. I would also like to thank the Panel of Experts created pursuant to resolution 1929 (2010) for the quality of the expertise it provides to the Committee. We encourage it to continue its participation, under the direction of the Committee, in the various conferences and meetings relevant to the Committee’s mandate, including its dialogue with Member States, particularly through visits to countries organized at their request. In that regard, we are pleased to recall the Panel’s visit to Morocco, which allowed its members to review with Moroccan authorities the measures taken to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions. The Committee has considered the final report of the Panel of Experts (S/2012/395). I would like to reiterate my congratulations to the Panel on the quality of the report and its efforts to take into account the Committee’s comments following its consideration of the previous report. We hope that the Committee will continue to consider the final report in a constructive spirit that will enable it to reach a speedy consensus. We also welcome the unanimous renewal of the Panel’s mandate and remain convinced that the Committee will continue to be able to rely on its professionalism and impartiality. We are also confident that it will be able to benefit from full cooperation on the part of Member States. In that spirit, my delegation supports the Chairman’s intention to organize, with the support of the experts, an open briefing for all Member States. The most recent report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), published on 25 May, demonstrates that the outstanding issues around the Iranian nuclear programme have not yet been resolved. The report also gives an update on the dialogue between the IAEA and Iran, indicating some progress in the definition of “a structured approach to the clarification of all outstanding issues”. We hope that the Agency will receive all the cooperation it requires for that purpose. We welcome the resumption of talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany aimed at making progress towards a diplomatic solution to this issue. We remain convinced that dialogue and the diplomatic route are the only way to arrive at a solution to the problem. The success of such a dialogue demands a clear, sustained and good-faith commitment, with no hint of any action that might complicate the situation. We also believe that settling this issue can be achieved through strict respect for the Council’s resolutions and by fully satisfying the demands of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the framework of Iran’s complying with its international obligations. We are convinced of the impartiality and integrity of the IAEA, the only institution competent in this area, which should therefore benefit from all the necessary cooperation, including on all requested information and access. We take this opportunity to reiterate that the non-proliferation regime must not be weakened, and that every State must scrupulously respect its obligations in that regard. The goal of nuclear disarmament will continue to be severely tested if commitments made are not respected. We would also like to emphasize that this regime is founded on a fundamental balance between the rights and obligations of States, which no State should neglect.

We thank Ambassador Néstor Osorio for the 90-day report of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006), covering the period from 21 March to 11 June 2012. We are studying the final report (S/2012/395) of the Panel of Experts that was presented to the Committee last month and has since been published. We hope that the Committee will examine that detailed report, its conclusions and recommendations in the weeks ahead. We share the view that the Panel of Experts needs to undertake its work and activities strictly in accordance with its mandate as outlined in the relevant Security Council resolutions and under the direction of the Committee. It is important that the Panel’s reports are aligned to the broader, but mutually reinforcing, goals outlined in the relevant Security Council resolutions — that is, the effective implementation of the sanctions and a negotiated and diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. Now that the Security Council has adopted resolution 2049 (2012), extending the mandate of the Panel for another year, we continue to believe that the Panel’s composition needs to reflect a broader geographic representation, particularly from developing countries. We hope that, in appointing members of the Panel, due consideration will be given to both expertise and geographic balance. Such measures will help to broaden awareness of the importance of the sanctions regime among the wider United Nations membership. We take note of the recent report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the implementation of safeguards in accordance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in Iran. We welcome the useful round of talks held between Iran and the five permanent members plus Germany in Istanbul and Baghdad. We hope that the next round in Moscow will help deepen the diplomatic process for a negotiated and peaceful solution of the Iranian nuclear issue. Security Council sanctions are but one of the means to achieve the larger and shared objective of resolving issues related to Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. We reiterate our view that Security Council sanctions should not be pursued as an end in themselves. They need to be harmonized with the larger goals set by the Council to facilitate a negotiated resolution of outstanding issues. Given the delicate and complex regional environment, Pakistan, as a neighbouring country of Iran, does not wish any escalation of tensions in an already volatile region. We therefore reaffirm the need for dialogue and diplomacy. Iran, as a party to the NPT and member of the IAEA, enjoys certain rights that need to be respected. At the same time, Iran should fulfil its legal obligations under the NPT and extend full cooperation to the IAEA to resolve outstanding issues. We are confident that the Council, the Committee and the Panel of Experts will remain mindful of the need to maintain a balance between sanctions and negotiations.

I, too, wish to thank Ambassador Osorio for his 90-day report and for his effective chairmanship of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006). The final report (S/2012/395) that the Panel of Experts has just delivered to the Council presents a comprehensive and detailed picture of the implementation of sanctions on Iran. It makes clear that sanctions have an effect. They deter Iran’s acquisition of ballistic and nuclear materials, thereby slowing its nuclear programme. They have also compelled Iran to alter its methods of acquisition and its illicit export and financing. We should continue to rigorously implement the sanctions. The report also sheds light on the persistent violations by Iran of its international obligations. Those violations point to ever more complex and harmful methods of evasion — phantom companies, bogus names, the use of multiple brokers and exchanges, physical concealment and false statements. Among other things, the Panel underlines the continual involvement of members of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution and of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines in violations. I especially want to stress Iran’s violations of the arms embargo. We are seriously concerned about the active role played by Syria, outlined yet again by the Panel. Syria, which is carrying out a bloody repression of its population, is involved in the majority of cases of violations of the arms embargo reported to the Committee. The scale of those violations bespeaks an ongoing, systematic policy of illicit transfer of arms and related materials between Iran and Syria. Moreover, it is also known that Syria is involved in many violations reported to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006), on North Korea. Those are serious violations on Syria’s part of its obligations to the Security Council. The independent Panel of Experts, established in 2010 by resolution 1929 (2010), plays a crucial role in guaranteeing that measures adopted by the Security Council are implemented and remain effective. I express our thanks to the Panel for its professionalism and outstanding work. We welcome the fact that its latest final report will be available to everyone, and would wish that to be the case as well with regard to last year’s report. The Panel’s work is far from finished. We therefore welcome the extension of its mandate for another year. That is one more signal to Iran of the determination of the international community to enforce full compliance with Security Council resolutions. The Committee must also fulfil its role. We would therefore like the Panel’s recommendations to be followed. The Committee must regularly update its lists of goods, people and entities that are subject to sanctions. That is especially true for individuals and entities guilty of violations. In that respect, we are pleased that for the first time since its inception the Committee has designated two additional individuals and one company with ties to the Al Quds Force of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution and involved in violations of the arms embargo reported by Nigeria. That is an important step forward. It is proof that sanctions violations will not be without consequences and that all States have an important role to play in the implementation of sanctions. The Security Council has yet again received a worrying report from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It highlights that Iran continues to refuse to comply with the demands of the Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors. Iran is actively pursuing its uranium enrichment programme, to 3.5 and 20 per cent, and its heavy water projects, in violation of its obligations under Security Council resolutions, and without any convincing proof of its civilian application. In particular, Iran continues to enrich uranium to 20 per cent in its underground facility in Fordo, which it concealed for years. On the subject of the military dimension of Iran’s programme, unfortunately no concrete progress was achieved by the IAEA at its recent meeting in Tehran on 8 June on a structured programme document, which represents an attempt to resolve outstanding issues about Iran’s programme, especially those relating to militarization. Despite several recent visits to Iran by the Agency and, in particular, by its Director General, Tehran continues to refuse to formally agree to the document. That is regrettable. In keeping with the demands of the IAEA Board of Governors in its resolution of last November, Iran must give the Agency full access to all relevant documents, people and sites, including the military facility in Parchin, where the Agency has claimed that operations were being conducted in violation of the required verifications. What we ask for, as does the Council and the international community as a whole, is for Iran to instil confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. On 23 and 24 May, the E3+3 Governments met with Iran in Baghdad. That meeting aimed to build on the renewed discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme in Istanbul on 14 April. The E3+3 made concrete proposals for creating confidence in the exclusively peaceful goals of the Iranian nuclear programme. Those steps concern 20 per cent enrichment activities conducted by Iran, in particular at Qom. They would be a first step towards Iran’s full respect of its international commitments. We expect Iran to offer a constructive response to our proposals during the next meeting in Moscow, in order to engage a genuine negotiating process that will yield tangible results.

I join others in thanking Ambassador Osorio for today’s briefing to the Council and for his report on the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) and its Panel of Experts. As his report made clear, the Committee continues to do important work in support of the Council’s resolutions. The latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) provides further evidence that Iran’s nuclear programme continues to develop in contravention of Security Council resolutions. In particular, it is worth highlighting the following. First, Iran is still continuing to enrich uranium up to 20 per cent, and it is further expanding its enrichment production capacity. Secondly, Iran has failed to provide substantive information to the IAEA with regard its announcement to construct 10 new uranium enrichment facilities. Thirdly, it has now been six months since Iran said it was ready to engage with the Agency on the possible military dimensions to its nuclear programme. Since then, Iran has failed to take serious practical steps to address the international community’s genuine concerns. It has even failed to engage seriously on a process of agreeing modalities, let alone actions, to follow up on issues of concern. Iran has, time and time again, had an opportunity to engage constructively with the IAEA by providing unhindered access to Iranian nuclear facilities and by behaving in a transparent manner, but it has failed to do so. The international community needs Iran to turn statements of intent into concrete actions. Iran should urgently provide the Agency with access to the right people, places and documents. It is only through sustained cooperation with the Agency that Iran will demonstrate to the world that it has peaceful intentions. We welcome the 1737 Committee’s Panel of Experts final report (S/2012/395). It is a high-quality, credible product. We are pleased that it will be made publicly available in full and at an early date, as should have been the Panel’s previous report, whose publication we still await and expect. We thank the Panel of Experts for its ongoing support to the Committee. The Panel’s report notes that sanctions continue to slow the development of the Iranian nuclear programme, but it also states that prohibited activities continue. Among other things, it notes that sanctions are hindering Iran from procuring some items for its nuclear programme, but prohibited activity continues. It also notes that Iran’s ballistic missile programme continues with further prohibited launches, and it notes that Iran is illegally transferring conventional arms, including two identified shipments to Syria. In other words, Iran continues to flagrantly violate the Council’s resolutions. We welcome the Panel’s recommendations for next steps for the Committee. We support the two clear designation proposals that Yas Air and SAD Import-Export Company be added to the list of companies for their respective roles in illegal Iran arms exports. We agree that the Committee could engage in more outreach to Member States to encourage reports of non-compliance and violations. We also agree that it would be useful to update existing designations and the control lists, as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Committee recently did. We encourage the Committee to work to take forward those recommendations. The United Kingdom looks forward to the open meeting of the Committee being planned by Ambassador Osorio. That will be an important opportunity to discuss the Committee’s work with the wider United Nations membership. We welcome the announcement that it will be held on 9 July. The United Kingdom remains committed to engaging Iran on the international community’s genuine concerns regarding its nuclear programme. We continue to seek a peaceful, negotiated solution. We believe it is the twin-track approach — the pressure of sanctions and growing international isolation — that has brought Iran to accept dialogue. The E3+3 group went to the recent talks in Baghdad united and ready to take concrete steps to build confidence. We set out in detail the steps we hoped Iran would take, including on key concerns about the enrichment of uranium to 20 per cent and on how we would respond. We are still waiting for Iran to seriously engage our proposal and to address key concerns, such as on 20 per cent enrichment. If Iran fails to respond in a serious manner, it should be in no doubt that we will intensify the pressure from sanctions, and we will urge other nations to do the same.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of China. I thank Ambassador Néstor Osorio, Permanent Representative of Colombia, for his briefing. I appreciate his efforts to promote the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1737 (2006) and I hope that the Committee will continue to carry out its mandate in accordance with the principles of realism, caution and balance. China has always attached importance to those principles and will continue to take an active part in the work of the Committee. On 7 June, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2049 (2012), to extend the mandate Panel of Experts of the 1737 Committee. China hopes that the Panel will strictly implement the objectives and requirements of the relevant resolutions and that it will continue to work under the direction of the Committee, in accordance with the principles of neutrality, objectivity and independence. The Iranian nuclear issue falls under the scope of the international regime for non-proliferation and for peace and stability in the Middle East region. The relevant resolutions of the Security Council should be implemented in a comprehensive manner. However, sanctions are not an end in themselves. China is not in favour of excessive pressure on Iran or unilateral sanctions against it. China is firmly opposed to the use of threats of force and calls upon all parties to refrain from any actions or words that may lead to confrontation. Dialogue and negotiation constitute the only right path towards a proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue. Recently, the 5+1 group and Iran discussed the Iranian nuclear issue in a serious and useful manner. China hopes that all parties concerned will further demonstrate good faith, flexibility and respect; will accommodate each other’s concerns; will firmly push forward the diplomatic process; and will gradually settle their differences through dialogue. To that end, China will continue to play a constructive role. China welcomes the numerous rounds of dialogue conducted between the International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran and encourages both parties to continue their active engagement, so as to contribute to an early clarification of the international community’s concern about Iran’s nuclear programme and to the achievement of a diplomatic settlement. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. I once again give the floor to Ambassador Osorio.

First of all, allow me to express my gratitude for the statements and kind words made by my colleagues in response to the report, which was the product of work done with the members of the Committee. In that regard, I should like to thank the Committee’s experts, who do their work with great seriousness and competence, thereby contributing to making these reports as transparent and objective as possible. I should also like to express my gratitude for the important contribution of the Secretariat on this subject. With regard to the Panel of Experts, as all members have recognized, the group is coordinated by Ms. Salomé Zourabichvili, who displays a commendable level of seriousness and professionalism. We are certain that, with the renewal of its mandate, the Panel will continue to assist us and inform us on the progress made in implementing the sanctions regime. As has been mentioned, I note that there are members that attach great importance to the Committee’s work being extended and better known by the general membership of the Organization. The open briefing that we have scheduled for 9 July will be a significant opportunity, not only from the point of view of transparency and the information that members should receive but also in urging that there be a very clear appeal to Member States to contribute to the smooth operation of the sanctions regime and meet their notification obligations so that the regime can be fully observed. Speaking in my national capacity as the representative of Colombia, I would like to add my voice to those calling for the talks of the 5+1 group and Iran on Iran’s nuclear programme and its implications that have been taking place to be as successful as possible and for the upcoming meeting scheduled in Moscow to be fruitful.

I thank Ambassador Osorio for the additional remarks and clarifications that he has provided. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.