Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 27 November (BelTA) – Belarus welcomes a long-lasting and fruitful cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), spokesman for the Belarusian Foreign Ministry Dmitry Mironchik told a press briefing on 27 November, BelTA has learned.

“In general, we can note with satisfaction that we have been fruitfully cooperating with the IAEA for a long time,” the spokesman said. He noted that a delegation of the Regulatory Cooperation Forum headed by IAEA Deputy Director General Denis Flory will visit Belarus on 2-3 December. “The main aim of the visit will be the discussion of the modern international experience in nuclear safety and security and the promotion of the nuclear safety culture,” Dmitry Mironchik explained.

The delegation will include executives of the regulatory bodies for nuclear and radiation safety of Russia, France, the USA, and Vietnam, members of the IAEA Secretariat, and representatives of the European Commission.

The delegation members are scheduled to meet with Belarus Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko, representatives of the Belarusian Energy Ministry and the Emergencies Ministry. Besides, the delegation will take part in the seminar for the executives of the government bodies partaking in the project to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP). There are plans to hold a meeting with members of the staff of the Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety. IAEA Deputy Director General Denis Flory is also set to visit the construction site of the BelNPP.

Dmitry Mironchik also noted that some time ago Belarus Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei met with IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. “The minister emphasized that we are eager to develop constructive cooperation with the Agency. Belarus is one of the founding states of the IAEA, so it has a long history of cooperation with this organization. We also affirmed our readiness to receive IAEA’s missions at any time, including at the construction site of the BelNPP,” Dmitry Mironchik said.

“The Belarusian side has sent out two invitations to the IAEA to send its missions, for example, to control the regulatory infrastructure and assess the area and design of the BelNPP taking into account external influences. The IAEA missions will contribute to the transparency of our project,” Dmitry Mironchik added.