42nd IAEA General Conference

The European Commission,Mr. Pablo Benivides, Director General:

He began by underlining that the Commission fully shares the views expressed by the EU Council Presidency. He then provided an overview of the current situation with regard to the enlargement of the European Union (EU), and the attendant screening process in which the nuclear issue has a prominent place. The candidate countries that have nuclear plants have taken or will be taking firm commitments on nuclear safety issues. The EU is committed not only to helping these countries to improve nuclear safety but to assisting them in the diversification of energy supply sources. On safeguards, two issues are of particular importance to the EU: the application by Euratom of safeguards on nuclear material in the Union; and, further progress on strengthening the IAEA’s safeguards system in the context of Integrated Safeguards. The New Partnership Approach has met with encouraging progress in facilitating the application of safeguards in the EU. The ratification process for each of the Additional Protocols has also progressed, with the objective to have their entry into force before the NPT Review Conference. The Commission is ready to work with the Agency to identify the best way of achieving a system of integrated safeguards in the EU. With further regard to safety, a detailed update was provided on developments spurred by the European Community in the area of nuclear safety. Progress in this regard has been achieved in the PHARE, CONCERT and other forums. As regards illicit trafficking, the representative mentioned that no major event of illicit trafficking of nuclear materials had occurred in the territory of the EU during the preceding 12 months. The Commission continues to highlight the importance of abandoned radiation sources; it welcomes the action plan being developed by the IAEA to improve the safety of radiation sources and security of radioactive material. The representative updated Member States on recent events and progress in research and development; these include the Euratom 5th framework Programme (1998-2000), the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA), and the Community’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). He also mentioned that negotiations of an agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between Euratom and Japan started this year. Furthermore, in July 1999, the Commission signed on behalf of Euratom two agreements with Ukraine for cooperation in the fields of nuclear safety and nuclear fusion, and an agreement with Kazakhstan for cooperation in the field of nuclear safety. Negotations for agreements with Kazakhstan for cooperation in nuclear fusion and with Russia in nuclear safety and fusion are near completion; signature is expected in the coming months. In spring 1999, the EU Council of Ministers adopted negotiating directives for an agreement between Euratom and Ukraine for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy; negotiations should begin this year. Euratom also continues to play an active role in the KEDO project aimed at achieving non-proliferation goals on the Korean peninsula.

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The European Commission,Mr. Pablo Benivides, Director General:



He began by underlining that the Commission fully shares the views expressed by the EU Council Presidency. He then provided an overview of the current situation with regard to the enlargement of the European Union (EU), and the attendant screening process in which the nuclear issue has a prominent place. The candidate countries that have nuclear plants have taken or will be taking firm commitments on nuclear safety issues. The EU is committed not only to helping these countries to improve nuclear safety but to assisting them in the diversification of energy supply sources. On safeguards, two issues are of particular importance to the EU: the application by Euratom of safeguards on nuclear material in the Union; and, further progress on strengthening the IAEA’s safeguards system in the context of Integrated Safeguards. The New Partnership Approach has met with encouraging progress in facilitating the application of safeguards in the EU. The ratification process for each of the Additional Protocols has also progressed, with the objective to have their entry into force before the NPT Review Conference. The Commission is ready to work with the Agency to identify the best way of achieving a system of integrated safeguards in the EU. With further regard to safety, a detailed update was provided on developments spurred by the European Community in the area of nuclear safety. Progress in this regard has been achieved in the PHARE, CONCERT and other forums. As regards illicit trafficking, the representative mentioned that no major event of illicit trafficking of nuclear materials had occurred in the territory of the EU during the preceding 12 months. The Commission continues to highlight the importance of abandoned radiation sources; it welcomes the action plan being developed by the IAEA to improve the safety of radiation sources and security of radioactive material. The representative updated Member States on recent events and progress in research and development; these include the Euratom 5th framework Programme (1998-2000), the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA), and the Community’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). He also mentioned that negotiations of an agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between Euratom and Japan started this year. Furthermore, in July 1999, the Commission signed on behalf of Euratom two agreements with Ukraine for cooperation in the fields of nuclear safety and nuclear fusion, and an agreement with Kazakhstan for cooperation in the field of nuclear safety. Negotations for agreements with Kazakhstan for cooperation in nuclear fusion and with Russia in nuclear safety and fusion are near completion; signature is expected in the coming months. In spring 1999, the EU Council of Ministers adopted negotiating directives for an agreement between Euratom and Ukraine for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy; negotiations should begin this year. Euratom also continues to play an active role in the KEDO project aimed at achieving non-proliferation goals on the Korean peninsula.