Chudakov: IAEA will continue to cooperate closely with Belarus

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will continue to cooperate closely with Belarus, IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov said as he met with Belarus’ Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk in Vienna, BelTA has learned.

The parties discussed the current cooperation between Belarus and the agency, the results of the IAEA missions in the country, and particularly the recent pre-OSART mission to assess the operational safety of the nuclear power plant under construction. The Belarusian side assured that a thorough analysis of the recommendations will be carried out and a plan for their implementation will be drawn up. Details and dates of the upcoming INIR mission for a comprehensive assessment of nuclear power infrastructure were also discussed.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk informed the interlocutor about the current status of the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The first unit has started pre-launch operations, hot trials are scheduled for mid-October. A great amount of construction work has been done on the second unit; the main technological equipment is being installed. “Personnel to the first unit and to the key positions of the second unit have been recruited," he added.

The deputy minister stressed that Belarus uses all the tools the International Atomic Energy Agency provides to nuclear newcomers.

Mikhail Chudakov, for his part, noted that the IAEA will continue to cooperate closely with Belarus in all areas of joint work. He also confirmed his readiness to visit Belarus.

The parties also discussed Belarus' participation in the IAEA’s educational projects. The Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radio Electronics sent a letter to inform the agency of its readiness to serve as a regional center to host a two-week Nuclear Energy Management School program.

The IAEA invited Belarus to take part in the Conference on Nuclear Knowledge Management and Human Resources which will be held under the auspices of the agency in May 2020. The International Student Competition will be held as part of the event, and the IAEA hopes that school students from Belarus will show good results.