The European Union, through the voice of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called on Iran to fully comply with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) on the evening of Monday 11 January, saying it deeply regrets the “worrying” measures taken by the country over the last two years.
On 4 January, Tehran announced that it had resumed the enrichment of its uranium to 20% in the Fordow plant (see EUROPE 12630/4).
“We urge Iran to refrain from further escalation and to reverse this course of action without delay”, the EU statement said, adding that continued full and prompt cooperation with the IAEA remains “essential”.
According to the Europeans, this enrichment is a “serious development and a deep matter of concern” [that is] “inconsistent with the JCPoA’s clear provisions on Fordow and has potentially serious proliferation implications”. Furthermore, “at this critical juncture, Iran’s action also risks undermining efforts aimed at building upon the existing diplomatic process”, the Europeans added.
The EU also reaffirms its strong commitment to and support for the JCPoA, adding that the Union has delivered on its commitments. “Despite the severe challenges to the JCPoA, the EU has continued to work hard to preserve it”, said the High Representative. The Europeans also took note of the ministerial declaration of the participants in the JCPoA (Germany, France, United Kingdom, China, Russia and Iran) of 21 December, expressing their support for the diplomatic efforts underway in the framework of the Joint Commission to ensure the full implementation of the agreement.
“We express our support to intensive diplomacy with the goal of facilitating the US return to the JCPoA and Iran’s return to full JCPoA implementation”, the Europeans also stressed. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)