The significant progress announced in the Iran nuclear talks in Lausanne, Switzerland, proves that political will, mutual respect, and unbiased thinking can play a critical, determining role in creating a more stable and peaceful international environment.
The Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs has been and remains proactive and supportive of a negotiated solution, based upon the Non-Proliferation Treaty and other basic principles of international law. We have created a positive space for discussions among all sides in our many Track Two meetings: first to facilitate serious engagement between Iran and world powers and then to find substantive solutions to both technical and political issues.
The sincere give-and-take process of negotiation and dialogue are the only long-lasting and workable ways of addressing proliferation concerns. Economic coercion cannot produce positive results in the long run and military threats are generally a recipe for disaster.
We congratulate all sides involved in this historic deal, though the work is not yet done. And there may be attempts to complicate or derail that work; such attempts must be strongly resisted. We wish all parties continued success in their ongoing efforts to achieve the final comprehensive agreement by end of June.
Paolo Cotta-Ramusino
Secretary General
Nagasaki, 2 April 2015
Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs 