Belarus will continue active cooperation with the IAEA in the development of nuclear energy - Mihaduk

Belarus will continue active cooperation with the IAEA in the implementation of the national nuclear power program. This was stated today by Deputy Energy Minister of Belarus Mikhail Mikhadiuk at the plenary session of the 62nd session of the IAEA General Conference, which takes place at the headquarters of the agency in Vienna on September 17-21, BelTA informs.

"Belarus supports the multifaceted activities of the Agency in the field of technical assistance. The IAEA technical cooperation program is an effective mechanism for the agency to implement its statutory tasks related to the development of peaceful nuclear energy, ensuring access of interested countries to its benefits and strengthening international cooperation," Mikhail Mikhadiuk said.

Belarus shares the view that in the foreseeable future nuclear power will retain its positions and potential for development. Belarusian side welcomes the steps taken by the IAEA aimed at assisting the member states in the creation and development of the nuclear power infrastructure.

"The interaction of Belarus and the IAEA on this issue has unfolded since the first days of the implementation of our national nuclear power program." Our country actively uses the entire range of agency tools - from technical cooperation projects to expert missions and partner reviews, "Mikhail Mikhadiuk stressed.

For the newcomer countries, the IAEA has developed the "Milestones" approach, which this year celebrates 10 years and which is an integrated guide to all stages of the development of new nuclear power programs. Belarus takes this approach. "We are convinced of its high practical usefulness and we expect that in the future, within the framework of this approach, there will be a roadmap for the use of IAEA tools relevant for the newcomers," the deputy minister said.

According to him, the construction of the first Belarusian nuclear power plant is proceeding successfully. The stage of construction works at the first power unit is being completed. The Deputy Minister also noted the comprehensive constructive interaction with the supplier country - Russia. The Belarusian experience of such cooperation for the successful implementation of the nuclear power program will be presented at a separate event on the margins of the session of the IAEA General Conference.

Belarus welcomes the increasingly significant contribution of the IAEA to the creation of a reliable nuclear safety infrastructure around the world. "The global demand for IAEA services is steadily growing: Nuclear safety will continue to be the focus of increased attention, including the credibility of the international community towards a peaceful atom," the Deputy Minister summed up.

Belarusian NPP is built on a typical Russian WWER-1200 generation "3+" project near Ostrovets (Grodno region). The first power unit is planned to be put into operation in 2019, the second - in 2020. The first delivery of nuclear fuel to the station is planned before the end of 2018.