Russia to assist Belarus with personnel, legislation in nuclear security

Russia to assist Belarus with personnel, legislation in nuclear security

Signing of the Russian-Belarusian agreement on cooperation in nuclear security is another step towards the implementation of the cooperation project to construct Belarus’ first nuclear power plant, Chairman of the Subcommittee for Legislative Provision of the Nuclear Power Generation Industry of the Committee for Energy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Vladimir Potsyapun told media in Moscow, BelTA learned.

“Under the contract signed in 2011, Atomstroyexport, the Russian company that makes part of Rosatom, is engaged in the construction of a two-unit nuclear power plant in Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. Russia offers a wide range of services on the nuclear power market as well as provides assistance in developing a full-fledged nuclear security system. The Russian-Belarusian intergovernmental agreement also stipulates assistance in working out nuclear security laws, training specialists, developing a network of crisis centers in Belarus. Rosatom does not simply sell an energy facility to Belarus, it makes its contribution to the development of the Belarusian nuclear industry,” Vladimir Potsyapun stressed.

The intergovernmental agreement on nuclear security cooperation between Belarus and Russia was signed in Minsk by Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Sergei Kiriyenko and Energy Minister of Belarus Alexander Ozerets on 1 February. “The construction of the nuclear power plant in the Republic of Belarus is not just an issue of construction. We need to develop all necessary infrastructure, which is a safety guarantee. It is an IAEA requirement. The agreement we have signed lays down a necessary legal framework,” Sergei Kiriyenko said.