WRITTEN QUESTION E-2028/00 by Reino Paasilinna (PSE) to the Council. Destruction of weapons-grade plutonium.
Date: 2000-06-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Russia, arms industry, industrial conversion, nuclear industry, plutonium, technical cooperation

C 89 E/132

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.3.2001

(2001/C 89 E/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2028/00

by Reino Paasilinna (PSE) to the Council

(22 June 2000)

Subject: Destruction of weapons-grade plutonium

The USA and Russia have agreed to destroy a total of 68 tonnes of weapons-grade plutonium. Each
country would have to dispose of 34 tonnes. The time set aside for this process is 20 years. The two
countries will set up establishments in which weapons-grade plutonium will be converted for use in
nuclear power stations. The USA will give Russia the economic support it needs to build the necessary
establishments.

What measures will be taken to support Russia so as to permit it to destroy weapons-grade plutonium on
schedule and in a proper manner?

What is the European Union(cid:146)s view of the above-mentioned agreement in the light of changes in Russia(cid:146)s
management of the environment?

Reply

(23 October 2000)

Under the Common Strategy of the European Union on Russia, adopted by the European Council on
4 June 1999, the European Union committed itself inter alia to promoting disarmament and curbing the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, supporting arms control, implementing existing agreements
and strengthening export controls.

In order to implement the non-proliferation/disarmament aspect of the Common Strategy, the Council
adopted, on 17 December 1999, a Joint Action establishing a European Union Cooperation Programme
for Non-proliferation and Disarmament in the Russian Federation.

The objective of the programme is to:

(cid:129) cooperate with the Russian Federation in the latter(cid:146)s pursuit of a safe, secure and environmentally-
sound dismantlement and/or reconversion of infrastructure and equipment linked to its weapons of
mass destruction;

(cid:129) provide a legal and operational framework for an enhanced European Union role in cooperative risk-

reduction activities in the Russian Federation through project-orientated cooperation;

(cid:129) promote coordination as appropriate of programmes and projects in this field at Community, Member

State and international level.

The financial reference amount intended to cover the costs related to the establishment of the programme
is € 8,9 million for 1999 and 2000. In the first phase the programme will contribute to a set of studies
and experimental studies on plutonium transport, storage and disposition.

The proper management of weapons plutonium released by disarmament is of critical importance in the
framework of the non-proliferation objective. The set of studies and experimental studies contained in the
Joint Action are aimed at supporting Russia in proceeding on a timely basis with the disposition of its
weapons-grade plutonium.

The studies provided for cover the following aspects:

(cid:129) preparation of a short-term action plan for plutonium disposition;

(cid:129) support for defined Russian organisations in building the tools and expertise required for the licensing

of plutonium disposition in Russia;

(cid:129) study of ways and means for transport and intermediate storage of weapons-grade plutonium;

(cid:129) medium-term perspective for plutonium disposition.