ICELAND RATIFIES IAEA CONVENTION ON NUCLEAR SAFETY

UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000122 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG SENV KTIA KNNP PARM IAEA IC SUBJECT: ICELAND RATIFIES IAEA CONVENTION ON NUCLEAR SAFETY ¶1. (U) Iceland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs announced via a press release on June 25 that Iceland has ratified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Convention on Nuclear Safety. Text of press release follows para. 2. ¶2. (U) Text of the MFA press release: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been presented with ratification documents for the Convention on Nuclear Safety. The ratification of the Convention will come into effect on Iceland's behalf on September 2. Iceland has now ratified all IAEA conventions in this area. The aim of the convention is to institute and maintain a high level of safety in land-based nuclear power plants around the world through subscribing to appropriate measures in individual countries and through international cooperation. The convention is also meant to prevent nuclear accidents and its ramifications. In spite of the fact that there are no nuclear power plants in Iceland, it is important to ensure that nuclear power plants in our neighboring states adhere to the most stringent conditions and standards. Membership in this convention allows Iceland to monitor the safety of nuclear power plants in those countries and participate in discussions on safety. By becoming a member of the Convention on Nuclear Safety, Iceland will have ratified all of IAEA's five conventions in this area. The other conventions are: a) The Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident (1986),b) The Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (1980),c) The Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency (1986),and d) The Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management (1997). The IAEA is a forum for international cooperation on nuclear issues that promotes the safe utilization of nuclear technology. Iceland's representative to the IAEA chairs the IAEA Radiation Standards Committee until 2010. In past years Iceland has made voluntary contributions to the IAEA Technology Fund. The IAEA makes regular requests for the participation of Icelandic experts to attend its meetings and give lectures. End text. VAN VOORST