EC, IAEA Pledge Commitment to Cooperate on Nuclear Energy

May 13, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

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Representatives from the European Commission (EC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) met on May 7 to discuss increased cooperation on nuclear energy, signing a joint statement to this effect at the conclusion of the meeting.

The IAEA and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), an organization composed of members from the European Union (EU), share common objectives on the peaceful use of nuclear energy - in particular, the strengthening of nuclear safety and global guarantees for non-proliferation.

Safe and secure use of nuclear energy led both organisations to establish high-level safety standards to protect people and the environment, as well as strict measures for the non-proliferation and safeguarding of nuclear materials.

Over the last two years, the EC and IAEA services have significantly reinforced the quality and intensity of their cooperation.^[1]

The most visible cooperation is in the field of nuclear safeguards, where Euratom and IAEA inspectors cooperate closely on the application of the safeguards agreements between Euratom, IAEA and EU member states.

Technology and scientific research, including that for new reactors (Generation IV) and fusion energy research (ITER), are also important fields of cooperation.

In its Jan. 10 2007 communication on "An Energy Policy for Europe," the EC identified the promotion of non-proliferation as one of the key priorities to be pursued by an effective external EU energy policy. In this context, the EC highlighted the need for strengthening cooperation between Euratom and IAEA in order to achieve the desired effect at the international level.

The purpose of the May 7 joint statement was to highlight the mutual will to further strengthen cooperation, emphasise the specific priority areas and provide for regular high-level meetings to facilitate this reinforced cooperation.

At the meeting, EC President José Barroso said, "It is important to join our efforts to monitor the development of nuclear energy in a peaceful, safe and secure manner, fully respecting global non-proliferation objectives."

^[1] On the basis of the 1975 cooperation agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community and the International Atomic Energy Agency, 75/780/Euratom, OJ L 329, 23/12/1975, p. 28-29

Source: European Commission.