Madame President,
On behalf of the Delegation of the Republic of Cyprus, I would like to join the previous speakers in congratulating you on your election as the President of the Sixty-second General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency. We are convinced that, under your stewardship this Conference will accomplish its work successfully. I would like to assure you of the full support and cooperation of the Cypriot delegation in discharging your responsibilities. Allow me also to express our wishes for a speedy recovery to the IAEA Director General, Mr. Yukiya Amano as well as our appreciation to the Secretariat of the Agency, for their dedicated and professional work.
Madame President,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
The Republic of Cyprus fully aligns itself with the Statement delivered by Austria, on behalf of the EU and its Member States. The Republic of Cyprus would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Agency for its achievements and contribution to non-proliferation efforts, to strengthening the international nuclear safety and security framework, to promoting international cooperation by assisting states with capacity building and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The Republic of Cyprus, as a Contracting Party to all major international Treaties and Conventions relating to nuclear safety and security, assures of its full commitment to their implementation. In this regard, we wish to underscore the crucial importance of the Non- Proliferation Treaty as the cornerstone and linchpin of the international non-proliferation regime. We pledge to work with partners, regionally and internationally towards achieving the goal of achieving the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
Madame President,
This Conference, as an important global gathering, provides an opportunity to briefly outline in our national capacity, some important priorities and focuses. Cyprus highly values the Technical Cooperation Programme of the IAEA in enhancing the responsible development of peaceful applications of nuclear technology, as stated in the “Atoms for peace and development” motto of the IAEA, and appreciates its role in contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Republic of Cyprus has benefitted from various projects funded by the Technical Cooperation Fund in terms of knowledge transfer and acquisition of expertise. Over the years, the Republic of Cyprus has supported a number of IAEA workshops and training courses in the country, including several during the last year, and avails itself in supporting more IAEA Technical Cooperation events in future.
The Republic of Cyprus will continue its efforts to maintain and strengthen radiation, transport and waste safety, as well as emergency preparedness and response, and radiation protection. These efforts include strengthening the country’s safety infrastructure, legislative and regulatory framework, as well as building competence in several areas related to radiation safety of installations and protection of health of the workers, the public and the environment from the risks arising from the use of ionising radiation. In this context Cyprus has proposed 3 national projects for the 2020 to 2023 programme cycles. A new Country Programme Framework will be signed by the Cyprus delegation during the 62nd General Conference week.
The current revision of Cyprus’ regulatory and legislative framework takes into due account the recommendations and suggestions of the Agency’s Integrated Regulatory Review Service peer review mission held in Cyprus in 2017. An action plan for the four-year period 2017-2020 was prepared, aiming for a re-assessment of the system in 3-4 years’ time. I take this opportunity to invite the Member States to take full advantage of such peer review missions, as they have proven to be invaluable tools in supporting the national arrangements on radiation safety. Cyprus has also placed an official request for an ARTEMIS review mission in 2020.
The National Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan has been aligned with the relevant IAEA standards in light of lessons learnt from the response to the Fukushima accident. During the past year, the Regulatory Authority of Cyprus, with the support of the IAEA, organised exercises for all stakeholders participating in the Emergency Plan. The Regulatory Authority also participated in several international exercises and I wish to express our gratitude to the Incident and Emergency Centre of IAEA for their continuous support and assistance. With the assistance of the IAEA, the Regulatory Authority Information System software, RAIS, used by the Regulatory Authority, was upgraded in 2018.
In addition, the IAEA has provided Cyprus with experts that continuously support our efforts for the cradle to grave management of sealed radioactive sources, with emphasis on the management of legacy disused sealed radioactive sources. These activities are included in our proposed National Programmes.
The Republic of Cyprus commits itself to maintaining and further strengthening radiation, transport and waste safety, as well as emergency preparedness and response, and radiation protection. We are working to further enhance safety culture and to move towards an integrated management system for the regulatory authority. We aim to extend the application of a graded approach in regulatory control and to further enhance radiation security and emergency preparedness and response. One important element of these efforts is extending education and training in radiation protection and radiological safety and security to all relevant agencies.
Madame President,
The Republic of Cyprus does not operate any nuclear power or research reactors or any other nuclear installations and its energy plans for the foreseeable future do not include nuclear energy. Nevertheless, we recognise the importance of the Nuclear Safety and Security Standards of the IAEA in ensuring nuclear safety worldwide. The Republic of Cyprus supports all measures and initiatives that strengthen nuclear safety both at national and international level. Recognising the work done by the Agency and its Member States on nuclear safety and security, we urge all IAEA Member States to further ensure the highest levels of safety and security of nuclear facilities, either likely affecting their own State or their neighbouring countries.
International and regional cooperation is of the utmost importance for nuclear safety and security considering the transboundary nature of the impact of any nuclear accident. In this context transparency, information to the public and consultation with neighbouring states likely to be affected in case of release of radioactivity resulting from an accident in their nuclear installations is imperative, from the stage of design and throughout the whole operational life of nuclear facilities.
We believe that no Member State should underestimate the risks to nuclear security, especially in areas of the world facing security challenges, where the risk of a terrorist attack, loss of control or cyber-attack cannot be excluded beyond any reasonable doubt. In this context, Cyprus calls on all Member States to cooperate regionally and exchange relevant information.
In concluding, I wish to express again our appreciation of the work done by the Secretariat and the Director General, Mr. Amano, and to deliver our confidence and support in Mr. Amano’s and the Secretariat’s efforts towards peace and development.
Thank you, Madame President.