OREANDA-NEWS. July 16, 2009. The US-Russian expert working group on nuclear and radiological emergency response met at Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Complex (AECC) on July 14–16 2009. The group meets in the framework of the Bratislava Initiative of the US and Russian Presidents (2005). The US party was represented by the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Energy, the Russian one – by Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation, Atomenergoprom OJSC, Nuclear Safety Institute, Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Complex and St.Petersburg Emergency Center.

During a scientific-practical seminar the parties discussed ways to further develop the cooperation between the US Department of Energy and Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation in the field of prevention of radiological incidents. The key achievement made by the parties in the framework of the Bratislava Initiative has been the completion of the work to improve the systems of control and physical protection of nuclear materials, to develop the technologies of detection of radioactive matters and to exchange experience in this field.

Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety and Licensing Department of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation Alexander Agapov said that the governments of Russia and the United States had done big work in the framework of the initiative. “Russia’s initiative to set up an International Uranium Enrichment Center on the basis of Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Complex must be backed up with modern means of nuclear and radiation safety and it is very important that our cooperation should be developed. We hope that we will manage to create favorable conditions for the development of Russian-US relations in the field of radiation safety in the interests of both countries,” Agapov said.

The parties pointed out that the key achievement of the Russian-US nuclear safety cooperation was the successful conduct of emergency response exercise and the efforts to enhance public awareness of radiation safety and preparedness for possible emergencies.

Representative of the Department of Energy of the United States Vincent McClelland pointed out that the meting was an important event and suggested naming it “Baikal Initiative.” He said that the meeting would pave the way for further fruitful Russia-US cooperation in the field of nuclear safety.

The special radiological emergency response groups demonstrated their skills at a special exercise. The guests pointed out the high preparedness and professionalism of the personnel and the efficiency of the alarm systems. They also visited the special design bureau of AECC specializing in the production of high-tech radiation control equipment.