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Mr. President, Let me thank the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano for his presentation of the Agency’s annual report and an update of its activities in 2015. Lithuania is pleased to co-sponsor and will vote in favor of the draft Resolution on the Report of the International Atomic Energy Agency reaffirming the indispensable role of the Agency with regard to non-proliferation, use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes as well as nuclear verification, safety and security. We thank Brazil for its skillful guidance in the difficult negotiations over this important resolution.

Lithuania associates itself with the statement of the European Union.

Nuclear energy is a viable solution in the face of challenges by the international community arising from climate change and the need to ensure energy security. Yet, nuclear energy has a future only if developed in the most responsible way and in conformity with the spirit and letter of the international safety standards and requirements. Lithuania appreciates the role of the IAEA in setting high nuclear safety standards through constant improvement of regulation, assistance in implementation and fostering the concept of safety culture.

Mr. President,

The comments by the Russian delegation with regard to the IAEA report and the nuclear facilities on the Crimean peninsula are disconcerting and do not reflect reality.

Lithuania is concerned that the work of the Agency is being politicized by bringing up the issue of the illegal occupation and annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. We regard it as a detrimental attempt to influence the work of this independent and technical agency.

The position of this Assembly regarding Crimea is very clear. UN General Assembly resolution 68/262 affirms its commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Crimea remains part of Ukraine and its illegal annexation constituted a breach of the UN Charter and its principles.

Moreover, the decision by the IAEA to classify all nuclear facilities in Sevastopol, including research reactor IR-100, as belonging to Ukraine was completely in line with the resolution 68/262, which calls upon all international organizations and specialized agencies not to recognize any alteration of the status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol and to refrain from any action that might be interpreted as recognizing any such altered status.

For these reasons Lithuania urges all Member States to maintain their support to the resolution, as in previous years.

Thank you.