Publish Date: 21 September 2008 - 13:54

TEHRAN, Sept. 20 (MNA) -- Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Ali-Asghar Soltanieh, on Saturday said Iran is determined to get a membership at the IAEA Board of Governors.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has decided to announce its candidacy for membership in the Board of Governors in the annual conference of the agency,” Soltanieh told Fars News agency.

 

Iran’s candidacy will be examined in the upcoming general conference of the IAEA on September 29. The meeting is set to determine a substitute for Pakistan.

The Board of Governors is composed of 35 member states, as designated and elected by the General Conference. It generally meets five times per year.

 

At its meetings, the board examines and makes recommendations to the General Conference on the IAEA accounts, program, and budget and considers applications for membership. It also approves safeguards agreements and the publication of the IAEA safety standards and has the responsibility for appointing the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency with the approval of the General Conference.

 

Syria has also announced its candidacy.

 

The United States has previously stated it will spare no effort to prevent the candidacy of Iran and Syria.

 

 

HK/PA

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MNA