国际英语新闻：Iran, Turkey, Brazil issue joint declaration on Iranian nuclear swap

TEHRAN, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran, Turkey and Brazil on Monday signed a joint declaration to endorse a fuel swap whereby Iran will ship most of its low enriched uranium to Turkey in exchange for the 20 percent uranium fuel needed for its reactor, official IRNA news agency reported.

In the declaration, the three countries reaffirm their commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation (NPT) of Nuclear Weapons, the report said.

In accordance with the related articles of the NPT, they reiterated the right of all State Parties, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination, according to the report.

The declaration pointed out that the nuclear fuel exchange, which was signed here between Iran, Turkey and Brazil, is instrumental in initiating cooperation in different areas, especially with regard to peaceful nuclear cooperation, according to IRNA.

Based on this point, the nuclear fuel exchange is a starting pint to begin cooperation and a positive constructive move forward among nations and to replace and avoid all kinds of confrontation through refraining from measures, actions and rhetorical statements that would jeopardize Iran's rights and obligations under the NPT, said IRNA.

In order to facilitate the nuclear cooperation mentioned above, the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to deposit 1,200 kg of its low- enriched uranium (LEU) in Turkey, according to the report.

While in Turkey, this LEU will continue to be the property of Iran. Iran and the IAEA may station observers to monitor the safekeeping of the LEU in Turkey, said the declaration.

According to IRNA's report citing the joint statement, Iran will notify the IAEA in writing and through official channels of its agreement with the above within seven days following the date of this declaration.

Upon the positive response of the Vienna Group, including the United States, Russia, France and the IAEA, further details of the exchange will be elaborated through a written agreement and proper arrangement between Iran and the Vienna Group that specifically committed themselves to deliver 120 kg of fuel needed for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).

When the Vienna Group declares its commitment to this provision, then both parties would commit themselves to the implementation of the agreement.

Islamic Republic of Iran expressed its readiness, in accordance with the agreement, to deposit its LEU (1,200 kg) within one month, the declaration was quoted as saying.

In case the provisions of this declaration are not respected, Turkey, upon the request of Iran, will return swiftly and unconditionally Iran's LEU to Iran, said the declaration according to the news agency.

The new agreement was reached at the tripartite meeting of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Iran's nuclear program in Tehran on Monday.