New European Nuclear Group 'Essential For EU's Common Goals'
Written by NucNet
Monday, 15 October 2007
15 Oct (NucNet): Europe's new High Level Group on Nuclear Safety and
Waste Management will be essential in helping the EU achieve common
goals in the field of nuclear energy, European energy commissioner
Andris Piebalgs has said.
Mr Piebalgs told the first meeting of the group on 12 October 2007 that it is up to each member state to decide whether to have nuclear power or not. "But the question of nuclear safety and waste management concerns everybody," he said.
The group, composed of senior national regulators and representatives from safety organisations, will help the European Commission (EC) identify priority safety issues. It will also advise the EC on developing European rules regarding the safety of nuclear installations and the safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste.
The European Council endorsed the EC's proposal to create the group in March 2007. The group was established on 17 July 2007.
At Friday's first meeting participants discussed the group's working methods and purpose. Members will develop more detailed proposals at the next meeting, an EU statement said.
The group will convene several times a year to discuss and follow up an agreed programme of work. Expert groups might be established next year to provide technical support.
In a speech earlier this month Mr Piebalgs said one of the reasons the EC created the group is to "cross-fertilise, and prepare the ground for the establishment of an improved community framework for nuclear safety and radioactive waste management".
Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
EU Energy Chief Calls For Commitment To Safety And Security (World Nuclear Review No. 41, 12 October 2007)
EU Energy Chief Urges Nuclear Industry To help Shape European Policy (News in Brief No. 3, 28 March 2006)
