Statement of the Republic of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Croatia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey, the Countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, align themselves with this statement.
Mr. Chairman,
2. The EU would like to thank Director General ElBaradei for the “Background Report” issued on 22 February 2008 which will serve as a basis for discussion for the Commission of Eminent Persons. As already expressed in the title "Vision for the Future" the report is an ambitious approach to analyze and streamline the future work and tasks of the Agency.
3. Against this background the EU is looking forward to the work of the recently established high level panel of experts (Commission of Eminent Persons), which met for the first time on 24, 25 and 26 February in Vienna.
4. The EU continues to attach great importance to a fully transparent process and encourages an inclusive inter-active dialogue on the issue. The EU intends to be actively involved in the ”2020” process.
Mr. Chairman,
5. The EU wishes to reiterate its strong support to the IAEA and considers it highly important that the Commission of Eminent Persons pursues actively its work within the framework of the Agency’s statutory mandate.
6. The EU will continue its close interaction with the Secretariat and awaits with interest the first reactions from the newly established Commission. The EU looks forward to the opportunity to provide its detailed position on the Study at the Board of Governors Meeting in June 2008.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
