Photo courtesy of Anadolu
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors ended its finding that Syria had failed to comply with nuclear safeguards obligations, closing a case tied to undeclared activities under the government of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
The decision was adopted Wednesday after the IAEA completed technical and legal steps concerning Syria’s obligations under its safeguards agreement linked to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, according to reports citing Syrian authorities.
The Syrian Atomic Energy Commission said the decision followed about a year and a half of diplomatic and technical work with the UN nuclear watchdog. It said Syria had provided access and assistance required for international verification.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said earlier this week that cooperation from Syria’s new authorities had enabled inspectors to address longstanding questions surrounding the country’s previous nuclear activities.
Inspectors had visited several locations in August, including a facility in Deir ez-Zor province. Grossi said Syria provided information and access that allowed the agency to investigate material and activities dating to the Assad government.
An IAEA report circulated to member states had found that nuclear material, facilities and activities from that period had not been declared as required under Syria’s comprehensive safeguards agreement.
Grossi said the latest inspections allowed the agency to clarify and resolve outstanding safeguards questions, describing the development as a significant breakthrough in the long-running case.
The Syrian Atomic Energy Commission said it remained committed to international safeguards while pursuing peaceful nuclear applications, including medicine, agriculture and scientific research. It also expects the decision to expand opportunities for technical cooperation, training and research.