Luc Chatel assures the International Atomic Energy Agency of the full support of the Council of the European Union
Luc Chatel
- from: 29.09.2008
- to: 29.09.2008
- In: Vienna (Austria)
of the full support of the Council of the European Union
Luc Chatel, French Government Spokesman and Minister of State for Industry and Consumer Affairs represented the Council of the European Union at the opening of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna on 29 September.
Speaking on behalf of the 27 Member States and ten countries which support the European Union's position, including Georgia, Luc Chatel stressed that the Union is the biggest contributor to the Agency's budgets and funds and announced that Europe is stepping up its commitment. In particular, the Union is considering making a financial contribution to the nuclear fuel bank that could be created under the aegis of the IAEA.
Reviewing the regional crises affecting the non-proliferation regime, the Minister emphasized the central role of the IAEA and the international community's demand that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment activities. He also mentioned the Security Council's devolved role vis-à-vis non-proliferation and its recent unanimous adoption of a new resolution concerning Iran.
With regard to North Korea, the Minister expressed the desire for the IAEA to play a full part in the verification of denuclearisation.
He stressed that the Council was delighted about the progress made by Libya since its courageous decision to abandon its nuclear programme and collaborate with the IAEA.
Speaking about non-proliferation more generally, the Minister stated that the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) represented the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime and emphasized the European Union's hopes for the success of the next examination conference to be held in 2010.
In the nuclear energy field, Luc Chatel mentioned the Comprehensive Energy Action Plan adopted by the Council of the European Union and presented the numerous initiatives recently undertaken within the Union, particularly the High-Level Group on Nuclear Safety and the European Nuclear Energy Forum. He highlighted the importance attached by the Union to safety, security and the technical cooperation carried out by the IAEA, which should be of particular benefit to the least advanced countries.
- Updated: 29.10.2008
