The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has welcomed the ongoing cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).In a statement, the 120-member organization, which is currently chaired by Iran, hailed constructive talks between Tehran and the UN nuclear agency as well as a joint statement signed between the two on further mutual cooperation.
The NAM statement was read out by Iranian Ambassador to the IAEA Reza Najafi at a meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors on Thursday.
All countries, read the statement, are unquestionably entitled to develop and use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes without any discrimination and within their legal obligations.
It emphasized that the choices and decisions that member states, including Iran, make with regard to the peaceful applications of nuclear know-how and fuel cycle policies must be respected.
The statement also drew a distinction between the legal commitments of countries under relevant Safeguards Agreements and confidence-building measures adopted voluntarily.
On Thursday, IAEA chief Yukiya Amano said that Iran had invited the agency to visit the Arak heavy-water production plant on December 8.
The upcoming visit comes after Tehran and the UN nuclear body signed a joint statement earlier this month under which Tehran agreed, on a voluntary basis, to allow IAEA inspectors to visit the Arak heavy-water plant.
This joint statement outlines a roadmap that clarifies bilateral cooperation on the outstanding issues, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi said in a joint press conference with Amano after the signing of the agreement in Tehran on November 11.
He said the statement included an annex with six articles, adding that Tehrans cooperation with the IAEA was within the framework of the Safeguards Agreement.
Under the IAEA Safeguards Agreement, Iran is not obliged to allow such inspections but Tehran has, on a voluntary basis, agreed to allow the agency's inspectors access to the Arak facility as well as the Gachin uranium mine in Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.
By Press TV
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