Ankara Welcomes Iran's Decision To Sign Additional Protocol On N.P.T.

ANKARA - Ankara on Thursday welcomed decision of Iran to suspend its studies on uranium enrichment system and to sign additional protocol of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz said on Thursday that the General Secretary of the Iranian National Security Council Hassan Ruhani said Iran would sign NPT's additional protocol before November 20, 2003, and that it would voluntarily suspend its studies on uranium enrichment system.
Dirioz said, ''we are pleased over the statement of Iran,'' adding that the statement coincided with the fundamental expectations stressed in the decision taken by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on September 12.''
Dirioz said, ''we expect this development to facilitate the ongoing process in IAEA on Iran.''
Stressing that studies were underway in IAEA on whether or not Iran's nuclear program was appropriate to the obligations stemming from NPT, Dirioz said IAEA Executive Board had taken a decision on September 12, 2003 inviting Iran to take steps aiming to build confidence in international area.
Dirioz said IAEA Executive Board would continue to discuss the issue on November 20, 2003.
(AY) 23.10.2003