Participants in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) reaffirmed their "collective support" for the multilateral nuclear agreement Iran signed with major powers in 2015, saying the lifting of sanctions against Tehran is an essential part of the deal.
In a joint statement issued at the end of their two-day meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday, the European and Asian leaders reiterated their support for diplomatic dialogue and the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which has been endorsed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.
They emphasized that JCPOA is working and delivering on its goal, namely to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.
"Leaders recognized that, alongside full and effective implementation by Iran of its nuclear related commitments, the lifting of sanctions, including the consequences arising from it, constitutes an essential part of JCPOA," the statement read, Press TV reported.
It added that preserving the nuclear accord "is a matter of respecting international agreements and promoting international security, peace and stability".
The JCPOA was signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China—plus Germany in 2015.
US President Donald Trump announced in May Washington’s exit from the nuclear agreement, which lifted nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program.
A first round of American sanctions took effect in August, targeting Iran's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software and auto sector. A second round, forthcoming on Nov. 4, will be targeting Iran's energy sector and financial transactions.
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