The resolution calls on North Korea to "cooperate fully with the agency in the full implementation of the safeguards agreement."

It brought into force its comprehensive safeguards agreement with the IAEA in 2009.

We also adopted a positive and responsible attitude and a safeguards agreement was reached, so facts speak louder ... than some reports".

Pakistan argues the safeguards agreement "threatens to increase the chances of a nuclear arms race in the subcontinent."

President Bush's announcement had prompted speculation that North Korea might now sign a nuclear safeguards agreement.

Further pressure for North Korea to sign the safeguards agreement had come from Japan.

In 1985, it became a party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, but it repeatedly refused to sign the safeguards agreement required of all parties.

Six years later, Iran signed the treaty's safeguards agreement, which mandates detailed reports on steps that could lead to weapons and allows inspectors to hunt for cheating.

The inspectors saw that as a lie and concluded that Tehran had long been violating the treaty's safeguards agreement.

Some could be implemented on the basis of IAEA's existing legal authority through safeguards agreements and inspections.