17 December 2024
President,
I thank Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, Ambassador Stavros Lamdbrinidis, head of the EU delegation to the United Nations, and Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, Permanent Representative of Malta, for their briefings. I welcome the presence of the permanent representatives of Iran and Germany at today’s meeting.
For some time now, Iran has adopted a constructive position on nuclear issues and constantly sent positive signals, repeatedly indicating its willingness to restart negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue. The EU, the UK, France, and Germany have responded positively and held a new round of talks with the Iranian side recently. The Director General of the IAEA paid a successful visit to Iran last month, and the two sides have continued cooperation on outstanding issues related to Iranian nuclear safeguards and monitoring. Such positive developments are hard-won, and all parties concerned should seize the opportunity and meet each other halfway, so as to resume talks on the Iranian nuclear issue and strive to achieve early results. To this end, we should make efforts on the following fronts.
First, adhering to the general direction of political settlement and maintaining the effectiveness of the JCPOA, rather than overturning the Plan or reinventing the wheel. The JCPOA was concluded after more than 10 years of painstaking negotiations and has been endorsed by the Security Council. It remains the best option to this day, and represents the greatest common denominator to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic means. Parties have made extensive efforts in 2021 and 2022 on the resumption of compliance, and almost reached consensus on the final text at one point. Parties should value the above-mentioned negotiation results, continue to focus on the resumption of the full and effective implementation of the Plan, address the legitimate and reasonable concerns of all parties in a balanced manner, and safeguard parties’ legitimate rights and interests.
Second, creating a favorable political atmosphere and enhancing mutual trust and understanding. Parties should not resort to sanctions, pressure, or confrontation at every turn. The lack of trust between the relevant parties, especially between the US and Iran, is the main obstacle to the resumption of talks. As the culprit of the Iranian nuclear crisis, the US should shoulder its historical responsibility, demonstrate political goodwill, and promote the resumption of talks, rather than doubling down on its practice and exerting maximum pressure again. Other parties concerned should also take positive actions, promote dialogue and engagement, and continue to accumulate mutual trust, so as to create enabling conditions for the resumption of talks. The snapback mechanism of the Security Council should not be used by a few countries as a tool for intimidation or megaphone diplomacy. Threatening to activate the mechanism at every turn is not constructive. It will only erode mutual trust and impede the process of political settlement.
Third, adopting a rational and pragmatic attitude and adhering to seeking truth from facts, instead of expanding or complicating the Iranian nuclear crisis. In the face of the continuing turbulence in the Middle East, parties should uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, address differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation, promote the building of a universally accepted Middle East security architecture, and create conditions for the achievement of lasting peace and common security. Parties should play a constructive role in easing regional tensions and avoid linking the Iranian nuclear issue with other matters. Otherwise, it will only exacerbate antagonism and confrontation, further complicate the Iranian nuclear issue, and even render all diplomatic efforts futile.
President,
In the current international security context, appropriately addressing the Iranian nuclear issue by political and diplomatic means is of paramount importance to maintaining the international non-proliferation regime as well as peace and stability in the region. China once again calls upon all parties to act with a greater sense of urgency, demonstrate responsibility and ownership, resume talks at an early date, and strive to achieve consensus and results. As a permanent member of the Council and participant to the JCPOA, China will continue to maintain an objective and impartial position, remain in close contact with parties, and actively promote the political settlement process of the Iranian nuclear issue, while firmly safeguarding its own legitimate and legal rights and interests.
Thank you, President.