Cooperation with other countries on nuclear matters

In the area of nuclear policy, cooperation with third countries is carried out in several fields. This cooperation covers three areas in particular: nuclear safety, research and development and supply.

Supply

To preserve the supply of nuclear reactors in Europe, cooperation agreements have been concluded with Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan, the United States, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

Research and development

The European research and development framework programme serves as an important basis for research and training (Euratom). A series of third countries, for example Switzerland, are also involved. European agreements also exist with Canada, the United States and Argentina, specifically for nuclear research.

Bilateral agreements also exist with South Korea and China in the area of nuclear research.

Nuclear safety

Over the years, several initiatives have been taken in order to improve the safety of nuclear facilities in the central and eastern Europe and the CIS. Belgium is also involved in these international initiatives either through the EBRD, European programmes or bilateral programmes.

• The tool for the cooperation of nuclear safety. This cooperation was above all focussed on the countries of the former Soviet Union, but will be extended to the neighbouring countries of the EU.
• A number of support projects in the countries of eastern Europe that have recently joined the EU. This cooperation concerns the dismantling of decommissioned nuclear power plants, the management of radioactive waste and support for the safety authorities. To this end Belgium has implemented a bilateral support programme.

A multilateral fund has also been created within the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD): the “Northern Dimension Environmental Programme” or NED. Various bilateral projects have been developed, primarily with Russia but also with other countries. The reason for this was that projects could be implemented effectively and more rapidly in a bilateral framework. For Belgian companies with the nuclear expertise required to perform activities that improve nuclear safety, it will be easier to get involved. Bilateral projects can also benefit from the DNEPR (Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme) agreement, which forms the legal basis for cooperation with Russia.