WRITTEN QUESTION E-2223/02

by Nuala Ahern (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 July 2002)

Subject: Russian nuclear energy industry

Is the Commission party to the agreement concluded in late June in Canada between the G-7 and Russia which will result in aid amounting to USD 20 billion being granted to resurrect the moribund Russian nuclear energy industry by massively subsidising plutonium MOX fuel, when it is clear that Euratom is manifestly incapable of applying safeguards and security measures to existing EU nuclear plants and that Russia cannot apply robust physical protection and security measures on its existing nuclear facilities? What is Euratom's current role in assisting in safeguards implementation in Russia?

Answer given by Mrs. de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(13 September 2002)

The Group of eight most industrialised countries (G8) launched in the Kananaskis summit (Canada, 26 and 27 June 2002) a global partnership against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction to develop, co-ordinate, implement and finance, according to their respective means, new or expanded co-operation projects to address non-proliferation, disarmament, counter-terrorism and nuclear security and safety (including environmental) issues. Up to now, several G8 countries have announced contributions ranging from USD 1 billion per year (United States) to US Dollars 200 million over 10 years (Japan).

The Commission has not pledged any additional contribution, over and above the EUR 100 million per year already being provided through the TACIS programme to improve nuclear safety. However, the Commission is involved in a Union Joint Action on disarmament and non-proliferation in the Russian Federation, where more than EUR 15 million have been devoted to the destruction of chemical weapons and to the disposal of weapon-grade plutonium in Russia.

As confirmed recently by the Parliament(1), the Euratom safeguards in existing nuclear plants on the territory of the Union are applied in full compliance with the requirements of Chapter VII of the Euratom Treaty.

As regards to whether Russia can apply robust physical protection and security measures on its existing nuclear facilities, the Commission would like to state that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, physical protection of nuclear stockpiles and facilities became a major concern to the international community. The United States, in particular, has also made a major effort to improve physical protection measures at Russian installations. The situation has improved significantly since then.

The Russian Federation has ratified the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which entered into force on 8 February 1987.

Beside physical protection matters, the Commission is helping Russia to put in place a state system of accountancy and control of nuclear material. The TACIS programme earmarks funds since 1994 for improving the Nuclear Material Accountancy and Control in Russian Federation.

(1) A5-0196/2002, Report on the Commission report to the European Parliament and the Council: Operation of the Euratom Safeguards Office 1999-2000 Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy.