Brussels, 08/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - On 7 January, the Greek Presidency adopted the following declaration on behalf of the EU:
"The EU fully supports the resolution of the IAEA Board of Governors of January 6 and strongly urges the DPRK to respond positively and without delay to the demands therein. The EU has taken note with grave concern of recent unilateral steps by the DPRK to impede the functioning of IAEA containment and surveillance equipment at its nuclear facilities and the expulsion of IAEA inspectors. These actions have led to the IAEA's inability to fulfil its tasks and represent a serious violation of the IAEA Safeguards Agreement. The EU, in accordance with the General Affairs and External Relations Conclusions of November 19, 2002, strongly urges the DPRK to refrain from any further escalation and to dismantle immediately any nuclear weapons programme in a visible and verifiable manner, to allow the Agency to restore its seals and monitoring equipment, to allow the return of the IAEA inspectors and to come into full compliance unconditionally with all relevant international commitments in particular the NPT and the Safeguards Agreement. The EU is committed to act in consultation with all relevant partners and to contribute to a peaceful solution."