Amano: The Agency Needs 9 Million Euros Annually to Implement Iran Agreement

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran's nuclear program requires a budget of 9 million and 200 thousand euros annually, which must be sourced from additional resources. Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the Agency, presented a report on the implementation and verification of this agreement during the first meeting of the Agency's Board of Governors after the Vienna agreement between Iran and six world powers. He noted that the Agency's cooperation in this regard requires financial support. In his remarks, which were obtained by Radio Farda, he stated: "Our estimate for implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is 9 million and 200 thousand euros annually." Amano added: "Three million euros of this amount will be allocated to the temporary implementation of the Additional Protocol, and the verification and monitoring of Iran's commitments under the JCPOA, including inspection-related costs, will also amount to six million and 200 thousand euros." He urged the member states of the Board of Governors to continue their cooperation in providing the necessary financial resources for the Agency in connection with the implementation of the JCPOA and to approve his report for the verification of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and the review of the Agency's budget for 2016-2017 in this regard. Iran and the six world powers, including the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom along with Germany, reached an agreement in Vienna on July 14, under which Iran agreed to suspend or halt many of its nuclear activities, and international sanctions against Tehran would be lifted or reduced following the Agency's verification of its actions. In his remarks on Tuesday, Amano welcomed Iran's implementation of the Additional Protocol under the Vienna agreement, stating that this protocol provides a strong verification tool for the Agency, and he has always called for its implementation since he became the Director General six years ago. According to him, in addition to Iran, 120 other countries have also ratified the Additional Protocol, and when the Islamic Republic implements this protocol, "we will have broader access to information and sites (nuclear) in Iran." Under the Additional Protocol, Iran must provide detailed and complete information regarding its nuclear fuel cycle activities and allow inspectors access to the facilities they wish to inspect at any time. Iran has accepted additional commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as transparency measures. These commitments include increasing inspectors' access to uranium mines and workshops and continuing oversight of centrifuge construction and storage. According to Amano, after receiving information from Iran, "we will verify its accuracy and completeness, and this information must be updated regularly." The Director General also emphasized that "Iran has accepted additional commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as transparency measures." "These commitments include increasing inspectors' access to uranium mines and workshops and continuing oversight of centrifuge construction and storage." According to the Associated Press, Amano stated that Iran has provided a "large volume" of information to the Agency related to the Agency's investigations regarding allegations of military dimensions in Iran's nuclear program. Amano also responded to reporters' questions, stating that it is "still too early" to assess the usefulness of the information provided, and the Agency needs to conduct thorough reviews before offering an opinion on this matter. In another part of his remarks, he referred to the signing of the agreement known as the "roadmap" between Iran and the Agency on July 14, stating that the goal of this agreement is to expedite and enhance cooperation and dialogue between Iran and the Agency with the aim of resolving remaining issues by the end of 2015. According to Amano, this agreement is part of the "framework of cooperation" agreed upon between Iran and the Agency in November 2013. As the Director General stated, "On August 15, Iran provided written explanations and attached documents for verifying past and present remaining issues" related to its nuclear program. "The report on all activities related to the roadmap will be completed on October 15, and I will present my assessment report at the Board of Governors meeting on December 15." He addressed the members of the Agency's Board of Governors, stating, "This is a historic opportunity to resolve Iran's nuclear program, and I hope that this historic opportunity will be fully utilized."