Iran's Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ali Asghar Soltanieh, said here on Thursday that a proposed draft resolution by Britain was a diplomatic failure for that country in IAEA Board of Governors.
'Eight countries, including Brazil and South Africa abstained to agree with UK's proposed draft resolution despite diplomatic efforts by Britain and US across the world to unanimously approve the UK's draft resolution,' Soltanieh told IRNA in an exclusive interview.
He noted that although UK's proposal was apparently aimed at providing guarantee for nuclear fuel, its main goal was creating hurdles for some developing countries on political pretexts.
'Fortunately, a total of 130 member states of the Group 77 in a statement at IAEA's Board of Governors reiterated on the undeniable rights of all countries in choosing fuel-cycle option, including uranium enrichment,' Soltanieh added.
He noted that Group 77 countries underlined the main problems with UK's proposed draft resolution.
Britain's proposal with regard to providing guarantees to provide low uranium enrichment services for nuclear power stations was approved at the seasonal session of IAEA's Board of Governors with 26 votes in favor, eight abstention votes and one absent.
Seasonal session of IAEA Board of Governors kicked off on Monday at IAEA Headquarters in Vienna.
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