IAEA, Institute for Nuclear Research to strengthen nuclear capacity in Europe and Asia

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti (ICN) in Romania will strengthen their work together to build nuclear capacity across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and contribute to increased technical knowledge and safety.

Amano visited the Institute as part of a three-day trip to Romania. He met with President Klaus W. Iohannis, Vice Prime Minister CostinBorc, and Minister of Foreign Affairs LazărComănescu, to discuss Romania’s nuclear power programme and the IAEA’s support to the country in various areas of peaceful use of nuclear technology.

“Romania is a valued partner of the IAEA in all areas of our activity,” IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano said at the Institute on April 21. “Cooperation such as that between the IAEA and the Institute will make an important contribution to strengthening nuclear safety in this region, and beyond.”

Amano lauded the Institute’s management and staff for hosting 27 fellows from developing countries over the last few years under various IAEA technical cooperation projects. The young scientists received training and did practical work in nuclear safety, nuclear chemistry, safety assessment, and the safe operation of research reactors.

“Today’s ceremony on the occasion of IAEA Director General’s visit to Romania opens a new chapter for the international cooperation in Romanian education and research,” said SerbanValeca, President of the ICN Research Council. He also said that the visit marked an important milestone for the Institute.

IAEA and the Institute signed a Practical Arrangement on Cooperation last year in the area of Scientific and Technical Support to Member States in Nuclear Safety. According to Amano, this Arrangement will increase the availability of nuclear safety training courses, including in emergency preparedness and response in case of a nuclear or radiological emergency, across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

“Ensuring the availability of highly qualified staff to assume responsibility for the safe, secure and sustainable operation of nuclear facilities in the coming decades is extremely important,” Amano added. “Cooperation such as that between the IAEA and the Institute will make a very valuable contribution to the training of the next generation of nuclear power professionals.”

The Institute, located 120 kilometres northwest of Bucharest, was established in 1971 with the technical support of the IAEA. More recently, the IAEA facilitated the conversion of the Institute’s research reactor to low enriched uranium fuel in 2010.

Source: IAEA