Grossi commented on results of his trust-based talk with Lukashenko: it tackled situation in the region and nuclear safety
There is an understanding within the International Atomic Energy Agency of the importance of the Belarusian nuclear power plant for the republic’s economy – as stated by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi in a conversation with journalists after his today’s meeting with President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko
Rafael Grossi noted that he had a very important meeting with the President of Belarus, “We discussed a range of very important issues in a frank and trust-based atmosphere. They primarily concerned the situation in the region: the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the challenges and dangers that this situation entails.”
According to the IAEA Director General, he informed the Belarusian leader in detail about the agency's work aimed to ensure safety at the nuclear power plants in Ukraine from the very beginning of the military conflict. “In turn, it was very important for me to hear directly from the President of Belarus his position, his approaches to ensuring nuclear safety and achieving peace in the region. He conveyed these approaches to me in a very clear and open manner,” Mr. Grossi said.
As noted by Mr. Grossi, the further work programme of the agency's director general in Belarus was discussed with the President. In particular, a visit to the Belarusian NPP is planned for October 1st. "We understand how important the construction of this nuclear power plant was for the Belarusian economy, and it is very pleasant that IAEA was directly involved in the construction and ensuring the safety of the facility," he said.
The IAEA Director General stressed that neither he personally nor the agency as a whole had any concerns or doubts about Belarus. “It is important for us that the countries we work with — in this context, Belarus — do everything according to the regulations and recommendations,” he stated.
