Events

VIENNA, 22 September (BelTA) – Belarusian specialists will observe the emergency response drills at the nuclear power plants in the countries of North Europe (Norway, Sweden, and Finland), Oleg Sobolev, Head of the Communications and Public Information Department of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department, told BelTA after the meeting of the Gosatomnadzor delegation with representatives of the regulatory authorities in the area of nuclear and radiation security of the North Europe states. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 61^st IAEA General Conference in Vienna on 21 September.

In September 2016 the regulatory bodies of nuclear and radiation security of Belarus and the countries of North Europe concluded a memorandum of cooperation. According to Oleg Sobolev, the parties coordinated practical steps for the implementation of the memorandum. The document envisages the organization of visits of Belarusian specialists as observers of the emergency response drills at the nuclear power plants in the countries of North Europe.

The cooperation plan also envisages seminars on the development of the legal framework of nuclear and radiation security and also activities of oversee nuclear facilities. The document includes consultations on the cross-border movement of ionizing radiation sources and the participation of the regulatory body in the consideration of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel treatment strategies.

Belarus and the countries of North Europe also agreed to develop an agreement on early notification of a nuclear accident and other events for 2017-2018 and further perspective.