Chudakov: IAEA will continue to cooperate closely with Belarus
The International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue to cooperate closely with
Belarus, IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov said as he met
with Belarus’ Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk in Vienna,
BelTA has learned.
The parties discussed the current
cooperation between Belarus and the agency, the results of the IAEA
missions in the country, and particularly the recent pre-OSART
mission to assess the operational safety of the nuclear power plant
under construction. The Belarusian side assured that a thorough
analysis of the recommendations will be carried out and a plan for
their implementation will be drawn up. Details and dates of the
upcoming INIR mission for a comprehensive assessment of nuclear power
infrastructure were also discussed.
Mikhail Mikhadyuk
informed the interlocutor about the current status of the
construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The first unit
has started pre-launch operations, hot trials are scheduled for
mid-October. A great amount of construction work has been done on the
second unit; the main technological equipment is being installed.
“Personnel to the first unit and to the key positions of the second
unit have been recruited," he added.
The deputy
minister stressed that Belarus uses all the tools the International
Atomic Energy Agency provides to nuclear newcomers.
Mikhail
Chudakov, for his part, noted that the IAEA will continue to
cooperate closely with Belarus in all areas of joint work. He also
confirmed his readiness to visit Belarus.
The parties also
discussed Belarus' participation in the IAEA’s educational
projects. The Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radio
Electronics sent a letter to inform the agency of its readiness to
serve as a regional center to host a two-week Nuclear Energy
Management School program.
The IAEA invited Belarus to
take part in the Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human
Resources which will be held under the auspices of the agency in May
2020. The International Student Competition will be held as part of
the event, and the IAEA hopes that school students from Belarus will
show good results.