Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende was praising a landmark agreement reached on Thursday between Iran and a group of the world’s most powerful nations that will allow Iran to use its nuclear capacity for peaceful purposes. The deal can also unleash huge economic opportunities for all involved.
“I welcome the political agreement after negotiations among Great Britain, France, Germany, the US, Russia, China and Iran,” Brende said in a statement released by Norway’s foreign ministry.
Brende called the breakthrough “important” and promised “full support” for all parties as negotiations continue on a binding and “verifiable” agreement, due to be reached by June 30.
The current negotiations were supposed to be concluded by Wednesday but went into overtime during this week’s meetings in Lausanne. Much work remains on a final agreement, but hopes were high that Iran’s nuclear program can be accepted and that Iran itself can be accepted back into the international community after years of tensions and economic sanctions.
Brende noted that the UN’s International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) faces “an important job” in verifying that Iran adheres to its commitments in the agreement. Norway also pledged ongoing financial support to the IAEA.
“A comprehensive agreement (on Iran’s nuclear program) will serve both the world community and Iran, and open up for tighter contact (with other countries), both political and economic,” Brende stated.
newsinenglish.no staff
