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On 20-24 June, the Lithuanian delegation headed by Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Egidijus Meilūnas is taking part in the high-level Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is dedicated to analyze and assess the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, experience and to find solutions how to strengthen nuclear safety.

In his opening statement, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano stressed that nuclear accidents respected no borders, so an international approach to nuclear safety was essential and invited to make thorough and transparent national risk assessments of all nuclear power plants.

Y.Amano noted that there was a need to ensure that the IAEA Safety Standards were universally applied and asked the IAEA’s Commission on Safety Standards to review the relevant standards and to report within 12 months, with recommendations for strengthening them.

At the conference, the Lithuanian delegation raises questions related to nuclear safety of nuclear power plants, international commitments and compliance with conventions.

E.Meilūnas stressed that action of Russia and Belarus when implementing new nuclear projects violated the IAEA’s essential principles, therefore, Lithuania seeks that the highest nuclear safety standards that are important to Lithuania and the rest of the world would be implemented and would obtain a legally binding character.

The Vice-Minister noted that it was right time to create a safer environment for new nuclear energetic and, aiming at a safer future, to implement the non-binding nuclear recommendations and incorporate them into national law.

E.Meilūnas said that advanced nuclear technology had to be installed only on secure construction sites and it was necessary to fully evaluate those sites, i.e., to carry out seismic and geological research to evaluate the impact of radiation on the population, the proximity of construction sites and capital cities, distance from international air transport corridors.

Lithuanian representatives stressed the need to establish an independent nuclear safety regulator in the countries that were planning to construct nuclear power plants, also suggested reviewing the international legal system and agreeing on a dispute settlement mechanism, which was becoming increasingly important to many countries.

The conference adopted the declaration by ministers of the IAEA Member States.  The declaration explains the international community’s approach to nuclear safety situation after the of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident in Japan and sets out guidelines for that must be followed when aiming at strengthening nuclear safety.

The Declaration underlines the need for States planning to embark on a nuclear power programme to create an appropriate nuclear safety infrastructure based on IAEA safety standards. It proposes that international IAEA safety standards should be continuously reviewed, strengthened and implemented. IAEA evaluation missions assessing national regulatory frameworks, emergency preparedness and response and nuclear power plant operation should be periodic.

IAEA will have to prepare a draft Action Plan, building on this Declaration and the conclusions and recommendations of the Working Sessions, covering all the relevant aspects relating to nuclear safety, emergency preparedness and response and radiation protection of people and the environment, as well as the relevant international legal framework, and strengthen the role of the IAEA as the key organization in ensuring nuclear safety on international level.