Press release on the session of the Ministerial Meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear programme

On July 6, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear programme. The meeting was also attended by Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, Foreign Minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister of Germany Heiko Maas, Foreign Minister of France Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Britain’s Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alistair Burt. The coordinating role was played by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

The ministers analysed the state of affairs around the JCPOA in the context of the recent US decision to cease implementing the comprehensive agreement. The members of the Joint Commission unanimously expressed regret over this step by Washington and confirmed their commitment to fully carry out the provisions of the JCPOA that was approved unanimously by UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and has become an inalienable element of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and international security in general.

The Joint Commission noted with satisfaction Tehran’s responsible and full implementation of its commitments under the comprehensive agreement, which is invariably reaffirmed by the IAEA. The participants confirmed their intention to continue carrying out all international projects envisaged by the JCPOA, including the Russia-Iran high-tech project on reconfiguring the enrichment plant in Fordow and upgrading the heavy water reactor in Arak.

The ministers reaffirmed that the JCPOA, based on the universally recognized principles of phasing and reciprocity, provides for the lifting of sanctions from Iran and should facilitate the development of diverse international cooperation with Tehran. In this context the members of the Joint Commission announced their resolve to take the necessary economic and political measures to give Iran access to international trade, economic and financial cooperation in the face of illegal US extraterritorial sanctions on Iran and to step up joint efforts in this area.

Russia confirmed its unconditional support for the JCPOA and emphasised its determination to take all the necessary measures for the continued effective implementation of the agreement in the interests of the entire international community.

Upon completion of the meeting Ms Mogherini made a joint statement on the main results of the event.