During the Seventh Conference of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) held in Brussels (Belgium) on 24-25 June 2024, Head of SNRIU - Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh Korikov met with Director General of the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) Per Strand. During the meeting, the parties discussed the implementation of joint projects and further cooperation, which the SNRIU-DSA Roadmap for 2024-2028 envisaged.

“I am grateful for DSA's active participation in projects aimed at solving urgent problems faced by the SNRIU after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by russia on 24 February 2022. Over the past two years, 25 projects have been initiated to address the challenges caused by russia's military aggression. Currently, 18 of them are being implemented”, said Oleh Korikov.

The joint SNRIU and DSA projects launched after 24 February 2022 cover the following important areas

development of policies and procedures to restore regulatory control over nuclear facilities affected by the occupation and hostilities;

survey of territories affected by hostile military occupation;

management of critical knowledge necessary to protect personnel, the public and the environment during nuclear or radiation incidents caused by military operations;

providing equipment for radiation survey in the previously occupied territories, etc.

“Over the decade of our cooperation, since 2014, we have created a sustainable mechanism for planning, coordination and timely implementation of joint projects. This strategy includes a regular assessment of regulatory threats and challenges faced by the SNRIU, which are reflected in the Threat Assessment Reports. This approach, implemented in our bilateral cooperation, is recognised by the European Commission as a good practice”, said the head of the Ukrainian regulator.

DSA Director General Per Strand noted that cooperation with the Ukrainian regulator is important because it strengthens the SNRIU's ability to perform its functions as the national regulator for nuclear and radiation safety in times of war. He also assured that the DSA is interested in expanding cooperation and implementing new ideas and projects.

It should be noted that the history of cooperation between the SNRIU and the DSA, which began in 2014, includes a total of 42 joint projects: 24 have already been completed and 18 are under implementation.