The European Parliament adopted by 563 votes to 30, with 36 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation establishing a European Instrument for Nuclear Safety complementing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument on the basis of the Euratom Treaty.
Members recalled the need for the highest nuclear safety standards and safeguards after the nuclear accidents at the Chernobyl nuclear power plants in 1986 and Fukushima Daiichi in 2011. Therefore, commitments to nuclear safety, non-proliferation and nuclear security, as well as sustainable development objectives and the interests of the Union as a whole, should govern the programming of actions.
Parliament approved the Commission's proposal subject to the following amendments:
Subject matter
The objective of this Regulation is to complement those nuclear cooperation activities that are financed under [the Regulation NDICI], in particular in order to:
- support the promotion of a high level of nuclear safety, radiation protection and the application of effective and efficient safeguards of nuclear materials in third countries, building on the regulatory frameworks and best practices within the Community;
- help ensure a purely civilian use of nuclear material and by that, the protection of citizens and the environment by also supporting the implementation of transparency in nuclear related decision-making by authorities of third countries.
Parliament pointed out that cooperation provided by the Union in the field of nuclear safety and safeguards under this Regulation is not aimed at promoting nuclear energy.
The specific objectives of the instrument shall include in particular:
- the promotion of an effective nuclear safety culture and governance, the continuous improvement of nuclear safety and implementation of the highest nuclear safety and radiation protection standards;
- the responsible and safe management of radioactive waste, from its production to its final disposal, including spent fuel, as well as the safe and efficient decommissioning and remediation of former nuclear sites and installations and former uranium mining sites or sunken radioactive objects and materials;
- the establishment of effective, efficient and transparent safeguards for nuclear material;
- the promotion of overall transparency and openness of authorities in third countries, as well as public information and participation in decision making processes relating to the safety of nuclear installations and effective radioactive waste management practices, in accordance with relevant international conventions and instruments;
- the use of the Instrument knowledge and actions to leverage political influence in international organisations in the area of energy and security.
The Commission shall coordinate its cooperation with third countries and with international organisations pursuing similar objectives, in particular the IAEA and the OECD/NEA.
Proposed budget
Members proposed to set the financial envelope for the implementation of the Regulation for the period 2021-2027 at EUR 266 million in constant prices (EUR 300 million in the Commission’s proposal).
Criteria for international cooperation in nuclear safety
Under the amended text, a common understanding and a reciprocal agreement between the third country and the Community shall be confirmed through a formal request to the Commission, committing the respective Government.
Third countries wishing to cooperate with the Community shall be members of the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and should have its Additional Protocol or a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency sufficient to provide credible assurance of the non-diversion of declared nuclear material from peaceful nuclear activities and of the absence of undeclared nuclear material or activities in that state as a whole in place.
In the case of active cooperation, that commitment shall be evaluated annually. On the basis of such an evaluation, a decision shall be taken with regard to the continuation of the cooperation.
In general, the instrument shall encourage countries receiving financial assistance to (i) comply with their commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; (ii) comply with relevant international conventions; (iii) comply with nuclear safety and radiation protection standards; and (iv) undertake to implement recommendations and measures in this regard according to the highest standards of transparency and publicity.
This Instrument shall aim to engage countries receiving financial assistance under this Regulation to: (i) uphold the commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, (ii) commit to relevant international conventions, (iii) uphold nuclear safety and radiation protection standards and (iv) commit to implementation of relevant recommendations and measures with the highest standards of transparency and publicity.
Transparency
The necessary information in relation to the nuclear safety measures undertaken in those third countries with the help of the Instrument and in relation to their nuclear safety standards in general, shall be made available to workers and the general public, with specific consideration to local authorities, population and stakeholders in the vicinity of a nuclear installation.