The fifth annual senior officials meeting between the European Union (EU) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was held at the headquarters of the European Commission (EC) on 15 February. The meeting provided a forum to exchange views on enhancing collaboration in nuclear safety, security, safeguards, sustainable development, nuclear energy research and innovation, and nuclear science applications. Discussions were also held on mechanisms to strengthen regional cooperation, including environmental remediation of uranium legacy sites in Central Asia.
In a joint statement, the EC and IAEA said nuclear safety "is a key priority that will remain at the centre of cooperation" between them. The EC said issues such as decommissioning and radioactive waste management "should receive additional attention, and benefit from increased stakeholder involvement with a focus on increasing transparency on funding and processes leading to national and/or shared repositories". Progress on construction of the IAEA's low-enriched uranium fuel 'bank' in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, including continued support from the EU, was also discussed.
