The European Union (EU) is a close and valued partner in nuclear security and safeguards and can look to the IAEA for support in furthering sustainable development around the world, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi told senior EU officials this week in a two-day trip to Brussels. Mr Grossi’s visit saw him meet with European Council President Charles Michel, European Energy Commissioner Energy Kadri Simson, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ European Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell, among other senior officials.
In his meeting with the European Council President on Wednesday, Mr Grossi thanked the EU for its unwavering support to various areas of the IAEA’s work: “The IAEA and the European Union share the common goals of solidifying global peace and ensuring nuclear safety. The EU’s invaluable resources and expertise help the IAEA fulfil its aims and supports nuclear safety and security around the world.” The two discussed non-proliferation issues and how the EU and IAEA can further support one another in strengthening global nuclear safeguards and verification.
Mr Grossi also encouraged Mr Michel to call upon the IAEA on issues where it can utilise the Agency’s expertise, for example in the use of nuclear techniques and applications to address cancer and climate change challenges. They discussed several IAEA peaceful uses initiatives, including ZODIAC, an IAEA project to assist countries in nuclear and nuclear -derived techniques for the rapid detection of pathogens that cause animal diseases, including ones that spread to humans.; and the Agency’s activities in fighting cancer.
In a meeting with Koen Doens, Director General at the EU’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships, Mr Grossi discussed ways in which the Agency can more closely collaborate with the EU using nuclear science and technology to advance sustainable development and human health programmes. Mr Grossi highlighted the potential for the IAEA and the EU to expand their cooperation in fighting cancer and zoonotic diseases, and to address global and transboundary issues, such as plastic pollution through the Agency’s NUTEC Plastics initiative.
