- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, center, his Brazilian counterpart Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right.
- (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Having met in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, the undersigned have agreed on the following declaration:
1. We reaffirm our commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in accordance with the related articles of the NPT, recall the right of all State Parties, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy (as well as nuclear fuel cycle including enrichment activities) for peaceful purposes without discrimination.
2. We express our strong conviction that we have the opportunity now to begin a forward-looking process that will create a positive, constructive, non-confrontational atmosphere leading to an era of interaction and co-operation.
3. We believe that the nuclear fuel exchange is instrumental in initiating co-operation in different areas, especially with regard to peaceful nuclear co-operation including nuclear power plant and research reactors construction.
4. Based on this point, the nuclear fuel exchange is a starting point to begin co-operation and a positive constructive move forward among nations. Such a move should lead to positive interaction and co-operation in the field of peaceful nuclear activities replacing and avoiding all kinds of confrontation through refraining from measures, actions and rhetorical statements that would jeopardise Iran’s rights and obligations under the NPT.
5. Based on the above, in order to facilitate the nuclear co-operation mentioned above, the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees to deposit 1,200kg (2,600lb) LEU [low-enriched uranium] in Turkey. While in Turkey, this LEU will continue to be the property of Iran. Iran and the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] may station observers to monitor the safekeeping of the LEU in Turkey.
6. Iran will notify the IAEA in writing through official channels of its agreement with the above within seven days following the date of this declaration. Upon the positive response of the Vienna Group (US, Russia, France and the IAEA), further details of the exchange will be elaborated through a written agreement and proper arrangement between Iran and the Vienna Group that specifically committed themselves to deliver 120kg of fuel needed for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).
7. When the Vienna Group declares its commitment to this provision, then both parties would commit themselves to the implementation of the agreement mentioned in item 6.
Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its readiness to deposit its LEU (1,200kg) within one month. On the basis of the same agreement, the Vienna Group should deliver 120kg fuel required for TRR in no later than one year.
8. In case the provisions of this declaration are not respected, Turkey, upon the request of Iran, will return swiftly and unconditionally Iran’s LEU to Iran.
FINAL
9. We welcome the decision of the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue as in the past their talks with the 5+1 countries in Turkey on the common concerns based on collective commitments according to the common points of their proposals.
10. Turkey and Brazil appreciated Iran’s commitment to the NPT and its constructive role in pursuing the realisation of nuclear rights of its member states. The Islamic Republic of Iran likewise appreciated the constructive efforts of the friendly countries Turkey and Brazil in creating the conducive environment for realisation of Iran’s nuclear rights.
Signed by:
Manucher Mottaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Ahmet Davutoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
Celso Amorim, Minister of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil
See the Vienna Group’s Answer.
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