An inter-parliamentary working group has been formed that will study the feasibility of nuclear waste imports into Russia from the European Union for recycling and storage.

The working group was organized with the assistance of the non-governmental organisation “Belluna-Europe”. The group includes deputies from the European Parliament from Belgium, Germany and Finland, as well as deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Sergei Mitrokhin (the Yabloko faction), Anatoli Greshnevikov and Valentin Luntsevich (deputies’ group Russia’s Regions).

Representatives from the Nuclear Energy Department of the European Commission, Directorate General of the EU and public organisations “Belluna” and Greenpeace also participated in the first meeting of the inter-parliamentary working group.

The meeting also elected Co-Chairmen of the working group: Bart Stars from the European Parliament (Chairman of the delegation EU – Russia) and Sergei Mitrokhin for Russia.

The members of the working group agreed to exchange information regularly on the possible plans of the executive authorities of European countries regarding imports of nuclear waste fuel into Russia. It was also decided to develop and submit to the European Commission a report on the feasibility of nuclear waste imports into Russia from EU countries. The group is going to oppose nuclear energy projects that contradict legislation and endanger the population’s health and the regime for non-proliferation, and at the same time to develop co-operation between Russia and EU in nuclear and radiation safety.

In a speech at the meeting of the inter-parliamentary working group Mitrokhin confirmed the position of YABLOKO that declared its negative assessment of the plans for nuclear waste imports into Russia for further recycling and storage.

According to Mitrokhin, “the creation of the working group represents an important precedent in the organisation of the system of public control over international nuclear projects conducted by the governments of Russia and EU countries.”

See also:

Yabloko against Nuclear Waste Imports