France says it will continue implementing the 2015 international treaty on Iran’s nuclear program, rejecting the US calls to leave the deal.
“France is committed to the implementation of JCPOA, in compliance with international agreements and international security,” according to a statement by French Foreign Ministry, published on its website on Friday.
The nuclear agreement, also called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was signed in 2015 between Iran, the US, Russia, China and three European countries of Germany, France and the UK.
President Donald Trump’s Administration unilaterally withdrew the US from the deal last May and restored economic sanctions on Tehran in August and November, respectively.
During his speech at a meeting in the Polish capital, Warsaw, on Friday, US Vice President Mike Pence urged the European trio to leave the JCPOA.
However, Paris says “it will continue to support JCPOA, which was unanimously endorsed by the United Nations Security Council in resolution 2231 (2015), as long as Iran adhered to all of its nuclear obligations.”
The French statement goes on to throw its support behind the E3’s “long-term supervision of the Iranian nuclear program, the limitation of its ballistic program, …”
“All member states of the European Union affirmed last February 4 the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach towards Iran,” the document reiterates.
French Foreign Ministry also supported the creation of a European special purpose vehicle for trade with Iran, called INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchange), designed to allow uninterrupted export of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and agri-foods to the country.
The statement said INSTEX “is intended to facilitate lawful business transactions with Iran, in accordance with EU law. European Security Council and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015).”