VIENNA, Tuesday, June 18, 2019 (WAFA) – Palestine and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed today a safeguards agreement at its Vienna headquarters.

Palestine’s ambassador to Austria and its permanent observer to the United Nations and the international organizations in Vienna, Salah Abdul Shafi, signed the agreement on behalf of the State of Palestine along with IAEA director-general, Yukiya Amano.

The signing of this agreement follows the accession of the State of Palestine as a State party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons at the beginning of 2015. Under this agreement, IAEA inspectors may conduct inspections and verification visits in the State of Palestine to ensure the proper uses of atomic energy for all uses of radioactive materials in all sectors of health, agriculture, science and research.

Abdul Shafi said that the signing of this agreement is further proof that the State of Palestine shoulders its international responsibilities as an active member of the international community.

For his part, Amano expressed happiness with the signing of this agreement and the readiness of the IAEA to continue to provide technical assistance to the State of Palestine.

M.K.