Ukraine Will Join Next G20 Meeting to Share its Expertise in Energy Security

KYIV, Ukraine, April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Prime Minister of France Francois Fillon invited Ukraine to participate in the next meeting of G20 on nuclear security issues, scheduled for May 2011 in Paris. "I appreciate your offer to make Ukraine's experience in [nuclear security] serve this cause" - highlighted Francois Fillon at the meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

The French Prime Minister reiterated that international community has to make some conclusions after the events at the Chernobyl and Fukushima NPPs. "First of all, we need to review the security technologies that are being used today with nuclear power equipment," he said.

The French Premier added that his country supports the initiative of establishing a joint system of nuclear security, "We believe it is appropriate to discuss the issue of introduction of a new, common system of quick response to emergencies, so that we are able to join our efforts to address these issues," he said.

Ukraine has accumulated a unique experience in many aspects of nuclear safety, particularly in the emergency response in case of large-scale nuclear accident. Ukrainian nuclear power plants have gone through a meticulous modernization of power units, increasing their safety. For the first time ever a unique comprehensive safety assessment of all nuclear power units in the whole country has been conducted through the EU-Ukraine-IAEA joint project in Ukraine. As a result, IAEA experts and the EU have established compliance of all units of Ukrainian nuclear power plants with modern requirements of the IAEA's nuclear security measures.

Moreover, Ukraine has recently introduced a series of systematic measures to improve the security of its nuclear plants. These measures include the introduction of new technologies while disposing of nuclear waste, decommissioning of Chernobyl NPP, socio-economic recovery of affected areas, following modern requirements on seismic stability, and providing the State Nuclear Regulatory Committee of Ukraine, the country's main watchdog in nuclear energy, with an independent status on the legislation level.

In addition, Francois Fillon said that France supports Ukraine in solving Chernobyl related problems. "We want to express solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the Ukrainian government in addressing issues related to the construction of a new sarcophagus over the destroyed reactor in Chernobyl" summed up the French Prime Minister.