The European Union and China Emphasize Their Commitment to Preserving the JCPOA

Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, reiterated the Union's determination to maintain the nuclear agreement with Iran during a press conference in Brussels on Friday, June 1. Mogherini, speaking alongside Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, emphasized that part of their discussions was about the JCPOA, and they remain committed to fully implementing this agreement despite the U.S. withdrawal. According to the Associated Press, the Chinese Foreign Minister stated that China will 'steadfastly proceed in preserving the JCPOA.' Wang Yi, who has recently been promoted to the Council of State, visited Brussels for annual strategic talks with Europe. Mogherini announced that part of her discussions with Wang Yi was about the JCPOA, and this topic will also be on the agenda at the upcoming leaders' meeting in Beijing next month. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA, announced by Donald Trump on May 8, American officials have emphasized imposing the toughest sanctions against Tehran and warned European companies that they will face sanctions if they continue operations in Iran. European countries, while repeatedly stressing the importance of preserving the JCPOA, are negotiating to find a solution. However, several major European companies have stated that they will cease their activities in Iran to avoid U.S. sanctions. In response to these developments, Federica Mogherini emphasized during her meeting with the senior Chinese official that cooperation between the two parties is prioritized in two areas: 'First and foremost, the continuation of nuclear commitments under the JCPOA... and secondly, both sides will continue their cooperation regarding the economic aspects of implementing the JCPOA.' The redesign of the Arak heavy water reactor is one of Iran's commitments under the JCPOA, with China handling the technical aspects. Mogherini called this a key issue in the implementation of the nuclear commitments of the P5+1 group and praised China's role in this area. Although Iran immediately began pouring concrete into the reactor's core following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, negotiations between Iran and China to start the redesign of this project took at least a year. Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, cited the 'amount of this contract' as the reason for the prolonged negotiations, but it was finally announced last month that the contract has been signed.