42nd IAEA General Conference

Algeria, Mr. Mokhtar Reguieg, Ambassador to Austria:

The speaker began by expressing appreciation for support for Algeria as regards the Presidency of the General Conference. The speaker also described the efforts taken by Algeria in order to support international efforts to enhance the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to ensure the safety of nuclear materials. Algeria is committed to the strengthening of the safeguards system, and this commitment is also reflected in efforts, by the Atomic Energy Commission, to effectively manage nuclear materials at the national level. For example, the speaker mentioned that comprehensive regulations have been adopted for both international and domestic transport of nuclear material in and through Algeria. Algeria plans to develop a laboratory that would play a role in the country’s effective management of nuclear materials; a request for technical assistance in this regard has been made to the Agency. Algeria would be ready to cofinance the project with other interested donors. On nuclear applications, the speaker emphasized the need to ensure that the Agency maintains its technical support to developing countries, in order to provide a higher standard of living for all. The importance of technical cooperation cannot be overemphasised, and sufficient resources should be devoted to this area of its work. The speaker also pointed out that the issue of water resources is one of Algeria’s main priorities. For this reason, Algeria is involved in various Agency-sponsored activities on desalination. In particular, Algeria encourages specific initiatives and feasibility studies aimed at assessing and improving the use of nuclear power for desalination purposes. It is for this reason that Algeria has participated in various Agency-related activities in this area, including INDAG. Algeria also considers isotope hydrology research as a priority. On regional cooperation, the speaker noted that this year is the tenth anniversary of the AFRA agreement. Algeria, one of the agreement’s founding members, continues to stress the importance of Agency support in the full implementation of the AFRA agreement. The speaker emphasized Algeria’s complete commitment to this agreement, and firmly expressed the view that the agreement should be extended for another five years from April 2000. With regard to regional concerns, the speaker noted that all countries in the Middle East region, except one, had become a state party to the NPT. Full implementation of the Treaty is an important step towards a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in the Middle East. All States in the region, without exception, should become party to the Treaty. The speaker pointed out that the Israeli nuclear capability is a concern to his country. The international community should ensure that all States in the region do their part to ensure a nuclear weapons free zone.Algeria supports the amendment of Article VI. The speaker regretted the inability of the last Board meeting to reach consensus on the matter. Consensus should be achieved during this meeting.

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Algeria, Mr. Mokhtar Reguieg, Ambassador to Austria:



The speaker began by expressing appreciation for support for Algeria as regards the Presidency of the General Conference. The speaker also described the efforts taken by Algeria in order to support international efforts to enhance the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to ensure the safety of nuclear materials. Algeria is committed to the strengthening of the safeguards system, and this commitment is also reflected in efforts, by the Atomic Energy Commission, to effectively manage nuclear materials at the national level. For example, the speaker mentioned that comprehensive regulations have been adopted for both international and domestic transport of nuclear material in and through Algeria. Algeria plans to develop a laboratory that would play a role in the country’s effective management of nuclear materials; a request for technical assistance in this regard has been made to the Agency. Algeria would be ready to cofinance the project with other interested donors. On nuclear applications, the speaker emphasized the need to ensure that the Agency maintains its technical support to developing countries, in order to provide a higher standard of living for all. The importance of technical cooperation cannot be overemphasised, and sufficient resources should be devoted to this area of its work. The speaker also pointed out that the issue of water resources is one of Algeria’s main priorities. For this reason, Algeria is involved in various Agency-sponsored activities on desalination. In particular, Algeria encourages specific initiatives and feasibility studies aimed at assessing and improving the use of nuclear power for desalination purposes. It is for this reason that Algeria has participated in various Agency-related activities in this area, including INDAG. Algeria also considers isotope hydrology research as a priority. On regional cooperation, the speaker noted that this year is the tenth anniversary of the AFRA agreement. Algeria, one of the agreement’s founding members, continues to stress the importance of Agency support in the full implementation of the AFRA agreement. The speaker emphasized Algeria’s complete commitment to this agreement, and firmly expressed the view that the agreement should be extended for another five years from April 2000. With regard to regional concerns, the speaker noted that all countries in the Middle East region, except one, had become a state party to the NPT. Full implementation of the Treaty is an important step towards a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in the Middle East. All States in the region, without exception, should become party to the Treaty. The speaker pointed out that the Israeli nuclear capability is a concern to his country. The international community should ensure that all States in the region do their part to ensure a nuclear weapons free zone.Algeria supports the amendment of Article VI. The speaker regretted the inability of the last Board meeting to reach consensus on the matter. Consensus should be achieved during this meeting.