Belarusian Gosatomnadzor on cooperation with EU: ‘Nuclear and radiation safety trumps politics'

MINSK, 11 October (BelTA) - In the nuclear field, relations with foreign partners are quite fruitful and mutually beneficial, Deputy Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) Aleksandr Dokuchayev said at a press conference in BelTA's press center.

Taking into account the political component, some countries are trying to ‘slow down' this interaction. Nevertheless, we still cooperate with our colleagues from the European Union. Nuclear and radiation safety is more important than political contradictions and misunderstandings, Aleksandr Dokuchayev stressed.

He noted that Belarus is no longer a newcomer to nuclear energy. "Our experience in terms of construction of the nuclear power plant and hosting of international advisory missions is very much in demand. Foreign colleagues are also interested in the regulator's experience in organizing infrastructure in the country. Among those interested are Turkey, Bangladesh and Vietnam," the deputy head of Gosatomnadzor said.

"We continue to cooperate with China and Japan. We also continue our technical cooperation with the IAEA through the ongoing joint projects, the development of new ones. In these projects, the IAEA acts as the organizer. The consultants and experts come from different countries, and it does not matter whether it is Western Europe, Asia or Africa. We are also involved in regional projects and share our experience," Aleksandr Dokuchayev added.

Cooperation with the CIS countries, especially with Russia, is very vibrant. "We help those who are interested in Russian technologies. For example, our representatives shared their experience with Egypt at conferences organized by the Russian side," Aleksandr Dokuchayev informed.