CIS countries interested in Belarus' experience of peaceful uses of nuclear technologies

OSTROVETS DISTRICT, 29 November (BelTA) – Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States are interested in Belarus' experience of peaceful uses of nuclear technologies. Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk made the statement before a session of the Commission of the CIS Member States on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, BelTA has learned.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk said: “We have discussed the significance of the Belarusian nuclear power plant for our country just recently. First of all, it will increase energy security. There are also economic and ecological considerations. The significance of peaceful uses of nuclear technologies is the same for the CIS states as a whole. Some CIS countries already have nuclear power plants. Some intend to realize the relevant projects soon. A tour of the Belarusian nuclear power plant will be very useful for them.”

The official noted that nuclear energy is the most sought-after kind of energy in the world at present. “During today's commission session we will look into inter-country aspects of peaceful uses of nuclear technologies and into the creation of the relevant basis. We have previously held a session [of the commission] in Minsk. But this time the colleagues expressed their desire to hold the session here, at the [Belarusian] nuclear power plant in order to get a closer look at it and examine our experience,” Mikhail Mikhadyuk stressed.

A session of the Commission of the CIS Member States on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy is taking place at premises of the Belarusian nuclear power plant on 29 November. Taking part in the session are representatives of the ministries of energy, natural resources and environmental protection, emergencies, academies of sciences, scientific institutions, regulatory bodies of the CIS states, and representatives of the Russian state nuclear industry corporation Rosatom.

Participants of the session are expected to discuss progress in fulfilling the program on developing national nuclear infrastructures of the CIS states and an action plan on implementing the program, matters concerning public acceptability of peaceful nuclear energy projects and promising projects in the area of non-energy technologies. Opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the international research center based on a multipurpose fast research reactor are also under consideration.

Apart from that, the commission is expected to consider a complex of measures meant to improve safety culture in the area of peaceful uses of atomic energy, a draft agreement on making nuclear legacy facilities safe, and an action plan on implementing the agreement on transboundary shipments of radioactive materials.