Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 18
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Following the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA aka nuclear deal), Iran is planning to make good use of ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran's atomic chief said Jan. 18.
"In the wake of the recently created atmosphere, we discussed the procedure of cooperation with the IAEA during today's talks with [the Director General of the IAEA Yukiya] Amano and we have almost prepared a roadmap," IRNA quoted Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi as saying in a joint press conference with Amano in Tehran on Jan. 18.
Saying that over the past 10-12 years his organization has lost chances for technical cooperation with the IAEA, Salehi urged Amano to take new measures to expand cooperation between Iran and the international atomic agency.
"Amano's visit to Tehran is very meaningful. We will see the opening of a new chapter in ties between Iran and the IAEA," he added.
Expressing hope that the configuration of Arak heavy water will take place soon, he further added that "good news" may be announced over the next week about modernizing Arak nuclear facility.
As part of the JCPOA, Iran has filled the Arak nuclear reactor's core part calandria with concrete to decommission it. Earlier, China, the United States, France, the UK, Russia and Germany agreed to participate in redesigning and construction of the modernized reactor.
In turn, Amano said that the IAEA and Iran have agreed on strengthening ties as Tehran has taken the necessary steps for the implementation of the JCPOA.
In a joint statement on Jan. 16, the EU's High Representative Federica Mogherini and Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif announced the implementation of the JCPOA and the removal of economic sanctions on Iran.
According to the statement, EU has confirmed that legal framework, providing for lifting of its nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions, is effective.
The move came right after a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency submitted on Jan. 16 confirming Iran has completed the necessary preparatory steps to start the implementation of the JCPOA.
Amano arrived in Tehran Jan. 18 and he is scheduled to have a meeting with President Hassan Rouhani later today.