Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, met this morning in New York the Vice-President of United States of America, Mike Pence.

In the discussion on Iran ahead of tomorrow’s ministerial meeting on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the High Representative reaffirmed that JCPOA is working, and that Iran is delivering on its commitments, as certified so far seven times by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It is therefore important that a full and effective implementation of the deal, in all its parts and by all parties, continues.

The latest developments regarding North Korea were also discussed, and Federica Mogherini confirmed a very clear position of the European Union: DPRK must cease further reckless provocations and abandon its nuclear weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner and immediately cease all related activities. The EU will continue with diplomatic and economic pressure, including adoption of  new restrictive measures, and work with international partners for full implementation of existing ones, to open up a political process to achieve the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula through peaceful means.

The High Representative and the Vice-President also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans, and agreed to continue a close cooperation of the EU and the US in the region. They also discussed the latest developments in the Eastern Europe, in particular the situation in Georgia and Ukraine, and confirmed strong support for the ongoing reforms in both countries.