Belarus to borrow Ukrainian nuclear safety practices

Belarus will be able to use Ukraine’s experience in ensuring the safety in the nuclear power industry. The relevant provision is part of the agreement signed in Kyiv by the State Inspection for Nuclear Regulation of Ukraine and the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry. The agreement regulates cooperation in nuclear and radiation safety matters, representatives of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry told BelTA.

The cooperation avenues include the organization of the operation of regulation bodies, assessment of the safety of nuclear facilities and ionizing radiation sources, the organization of research work, the development of the legal base, personnel training and scientific and technical cooperation. The sides have agreed to exchange legal, technical, and methodological documents, arrange consultations, on the job training, joint seminars and symposiums, conferences to discuss regulating and observing activities in the sphere of nuclear and radiation safety.

Representatives of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry said that the nuclear safety system in Belarus is going through its establishment phase and Ukrainian experience will aid the development of the Belarusian national regulating body.

The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry was set up in 2007. Belarus is busy building a nuclear power plant in Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. The power plant will have two power-generating units with the total output capacity of up to 2,400MW. The first unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2018.