José Manuel Albares conveyed these messages to the Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, during the meeting they held to examine the main international dossiers on non-proliferation and nuclear safety. These questions include the challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear programme. Minister Albares reiterated Spain’s support for a return to full compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He also recalled the need for Iran to collaborate with the IAEA to clarify all the doubts raised by findings of nuclear material at undeclared facilities.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs announced to Director General Grossi that, on the occasion of the 10th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty of Non-proliferation, Spain will again back the central role of the IAEA in the fight against nuclear proliferation and the need to establish the combination of a safeguard agreement and an additional protocol as an international standard on the matter.
José Manuel Albares also underlined the work of the IAEA in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology, that are safe and responsible, in such fields as agriculture, health and environmental management. Spain provides support on this matter by contributing to its Technical Cooperation Fund. Via the Nuclear Safety Council, Spain collaborates with the IAEA to promote the highest standards of nuclear safety through the Ibero-American Forum of Radiological and Nuclear Regulatory Agencies, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Madrid today.
The meeting was held within the framework of the visit by Director General Grossi to Madrid, during which he was given an audience by H.M. the King and also met with the President of the Government.