Gosatomnadzor on Belarus’ co-operation in nuclear safety with neighbouring countries

At a press conference, the First Deputy Head of the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor), Leonid Dedul, explained how Belarus co-operates with neighbouring countries in the field of nuclear safety, BelTA reports

Leonid Dedul stressed that international co-operation in nuclear safety is important, “As part of the development and improvement of legislation on nuclear and radiation safety, we take into account international experience, in particular, the IAEA recommendations. This close co-operation also took place within the framework of the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, that is, during the first nuclear energy programme. We apply the same approaches to ensuring radiation safety in the territory affected by the Chernobyl accident.” Belarus also defends the national reviews on the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management every three years.

Mr. Dedul noted that, as for interaction with neighbouring countries, the co-operation within the framework of the Union State is seamless.

“Recently, there have been certain restrictions, given the current events, on the mutual exchange of information with the Ukrainian side. Although, we are open for a dialogue with Ukraine in the same way as with Lithuania and ready to discuss various solutions. For example, Poland is planning the construction of a nuclear power plant, and documents justifying safety under the Espoo Convention (on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context) are being prepared. As a neighbouring state, Poland submits documents, and we have the opportunity to ask questions and get answers. We hope that work in this area will continue in the future,” the First Deputy Head of Gosatomnadzor summarised.