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Mr. President, At the outset, let me thank Ambassador Román Oyarzun Marchesi (Spain) for his first report to the Council as Chair of the 1737 Committee. We are confident that the Committee will benefit from your able guidance during this decisive stage of its work. Lithuania closely follows intensive diplomatic efforts by the E3+3 and Iran to find a comprehensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. The negotiations have now entered a crucial stage and we hope that the momentum we saw developing in the last few weeks will facilitate an agreement within the timeframe set in November 2014.

We reiterate that only Iran’s willingness to provide verifiable guarantees to the international community in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme can lead to a successful outcome of the process. It will require flexibility and openness by Iran in bridging the remaining gaps. For its part, the EU has shown significant good will in extending the sanctions relief measures with regard to Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products, gold and precious metals, as well as increased thresholds for financial transfers to and from Iran.

Iran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency is another vital element in rebuilding international’s community’s trust. We welcome the conclusion by the IAEA that Iran has been implementing its commitments under the Joint Plan of Action. At the same time, we remain concerned that cooperation with the Agency under the Framework for Cooperation appears to have stalled. Iran is yet to provide explanations that could enable the Agency to clarify the two outstanding practical measures and has not proposed further practical measures despite repeated calls by the Agency. We urgently call on Iran to fully cooperate with the IAEA regarding all outstanding issues, including those related to the Possible Military Dimensions of the nuclear programme in order to allow the Agency to provide credible assurances about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities in Iran.

Mr. President,

Turning to the work of the Committee, Lithuania wishes to reaffirm that the Joint Plan of Action does not have any effect on sanctions measures imposed in relevant the Security Council resolutions. All Security Council sanctions imposed on Iran therefore remain in full effect and all Member States have an obligation to implement them. The obligation to cooperate also fully extends to Iran and we encourage it to engage with the Committee in facilitating its investigations.

The work of the Panel of Experts in verifying compliance should also remain unaffected. In this regard let me use the opportunity to thank the Panel of Experts for their work. Lithuania looks forward to release of its Final Report and subsequent discussions in the Committee.

Mr. President,

Finally, let me reiterate Lithuania’s hope that talks by E3+3 and Iran will translate into a comprehensive and verifiable solution, which would strengthen long-term international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Thank you.