Peaceful uses, international co-operation and exchanges in this area should develop in a climate of confidence that can exist only if activities relating to nuclear power satisfy three requirements that cannot be ignored, namely security, safety and transparency. Meeting the security requirements for nuclear materials and facilities is one of the fundamental stakes in the fight against proliferation and illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials. The international community should be given an assurance that co-operation and exchanges cannot give rise to diversion of materials. Hence the need for effective, objective and transparent export controls. Hence the need for States' active support for and adherence to the IAEA safeguards system.
Safety is undoubtedly one of the key points raised by the use of nuclear power.
It should be a permanent concern of ours and should progress in all areas. We call on all States not yet having done so to sign and ratify the Nuclear Safety Convention and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. Lastly, the transparency requirement. My country believes that nuclear development should be accompanied by the utmost transparency so as to help make governments and populations aware of what is at stake. Nuclear power can only exploit its assets provided it succeeds in convincing public opinions that it is an environmentally favourable and safe source of energy.