Council critical of Commission's nuclear safety proposals

摘要

EU member states appear critical of the European Commission's 25 May communication on "addressing the international challenge of nuclear safety and security". Ahead of a meeting of the Council's Working Party on Atomic Questions, on 10 September, delegations have been expressing serious doubts. Austria would prefer that the Commission amend the communication taking into account member states' suggestions. Germany wants any cooperation by EURA-TOM to be restricted to those countries that have agreed to comply with safety standards and verification procedures. The French presidency of the EU, obviously keen to have a speedy procedure for the communication, has now drawn up a report on the Commission's document. Slovenia and Italy-want "proper" cooperation with other international organisations, such as the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). EURATOM's activities must then have "complementary" value.