On May 09, 2024, Head of SNRIU - Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh Korikov met with Per Strand, the Director General of the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA). During the meeting, the parties discussed the status of implementation of a number of joint projects in the field of nuclear and radiation safety and identified priority areas for bilateral cooperation.
“I am extremely pleased to meet with you today at the SNRIU. I highly appreciate that despite the war in Ukraine, you found an opportunity to organize this visit to better understand the challenges and threats arising in the field of nuclear and radiation safety in our country. I would like to emphasize that international technical assistance in general and constant support of the SNRIU by the DSA in particular play a significant role in ensuring effective work of the Ukrainian nuclear regulator in difficult conditions resulting from the full-scale military invasion of russia in Ukraine”, noted SNRIU Chairman Oleh Korikov.
He emphasized that DSA remains a key international partner, and cooperation between the SNRIU, SSTC NRS and DSA started in 2014 and is carried out within the framework of the bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in Nuclear and Radiation Safety. As of today, more than 20 projects have already been implemented, and 22 more are under implementation.
These are joint projects on the development of regulations and procedures to restore regulatory control over nuclear facilities, radioactive waste management facilities, radiation sources (affected by occupation and hostilities), surveys of territories (under hostile military occupation), management of critical knowledge (necessary to protect personnel, the public and the environment in the event of nuclear or radiation incidents provoked by the military).
“I would like to emphasize that after the beginning of the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine by the russian federation on February 24, 2024, colleagues from the Norwegian nuclear regulator were among the first to offer assistance to the SNRIU. Over the past two years, DSA's participation in projects to address urgent tasks facing the SNRIU has increased fivefold compared to previous periods”, SNRIU Chairman said.
“The SNRIU is our key and important partner, which we will continue to support. Our cooperation is a priority for us, we are interested in expanding it and are open to new ideas and projects”, said Per Strand, DSA Director General.
During the meeting, representatives of the SNRIU, SSTC NRS and DSA also discussed further prospects for cooperation envisaged by the SNRIU-DSA Roadmap for 2024-2028.
In particular, they discussed the improvement and strengthening of the radiation monitoring system; continuation of the project on the safety of ionizing radiation sources during the period of martial law; development and strengthening of the regulatory framework in the field of nuclear and radiation safety; assessment of radiological impact on the public; improvement of the system for informing the public about radiation risks, etc.
"I am convinced that our current and future cooperation will definitely contribute to the post-war recovery of Ukraine in the nuclear industry and will help the SNRIU to perform its functions as the national nuclear and radiation safety regulator", Oleh Korikov summed up.