WRITTEN QUESTION E-0089/04 by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission. Management of nuclear waste in Russia.
Date: 2004-01-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Russia, action programme, environmental cooperation, irradiated fuel, nuclear safety, radioactive waste, ratification of an agreement, waste management

C 88 E/484

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

The Union has continually raised concerns about confirmed human rights violations, including cases where
individuals are persecuted for the peaceful expression of
the
Commission wishes to refer the Honourable Member to its joint reply given to written questions E-3001/
03 to E-3003/03 (1) on the issue of reported human rights violations in the Central Highlands which
remains entirely valid.

their personal views.

In this context

(1) OJ C 70 E, 20.3.2004, p. 190.

(2004/C 88 E/0497)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0089/04

by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 January 2004)

Subject: Management of nuclear waste in Russia

Significant progress was made last year towards setting up a responsible system of management for nuclear
in particular waste from nuclear submarines in the north-west of the country. The
waste in Russia,
Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership can call on considerable funding (over EUR 160 million
available) and the Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme for Russia, an agreement with Russia
concerning liability and tax issues in connection with nuclear waste, has been signed, though not ratified.
However, there is no plan of action for the handling and final storage of the waste; coordination between
the various donors could also be improved. It also emerged at a seminar held on 26 November 2003
between the Russian Duma and the European Parliament that numerous issues relating to monitoring
remain unresolved.

What measures has the Commission taken, or what measures is it aware of having been taken, to facilitate
agreement on a plan of action by all parties participating in the clean-up and financing? What guarantees
does the Commission have that nuclear waste clean-up operations result in a high level of safety and that
spent fuel is not used for new military purposes?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(3 March 2004)

The Commission has always recognised the magnitude of the problem posed by nuclear waste in Russia
and particularly in the North-West. It has actively promoted a common approach which would strengthen
coordination between the various donors and Russia. The ratification of the MNEPR by the Duma on
28 November 2003 and by the Federation Council on 10 December 2003 opened the way for the
Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership to become effective in the field of nuclear waste
management. The Commission will in 2003/2004, contribute to the Fund a total of EUR 50 million, of
which EUR 40 million will be allocated to the nuclear sector.

The Commission has supported the creation of a Nuclear Operating Committee to ensure a strong
coordination not only of the activities financed by the Fund, but also of the programmes of the many
bilateral donors, almost all of which are represented on this Committee. The first meeting of this
Committee was held on 2 February 2004. It agreed on a project to develop a strategic management plan
for radioactive waste in Northwest Russia. This project will be carried out in the next months and will
provide a sound basis for future coordination and selection of the projects to be supported.

The selection of the projects will have to be done according to criteria in which nuclear safety, security,
cost effectiveness and environmental benefits will be of high importance. The NDEP will only finance
activities aimed at ensuring safe management and storage of nuclear waste (spent nuclear fuel and
radioactive waste) in Northwest Russia.