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VII THE WAY AHEAD. 



The present economic situation in the Russian Federation makes it difficult for the authorities 

 to fulfill their responsibilities in dealing adequately with nuclear safety and nuclear waste 

 problems. Expanded and strengthened international co-operation is imperative if we are to 

 find satisfactory solutions to these problems and thereby help prevent future Arctic 

 radioactive contamination. Moreover, international co-operation is important to avoid 

 unnecessary and costly duplication of work. The situation requires creative and flexible 

 approaches by the international community. So far, management of radioactive waste has not 

 attracted as much attention from the international community as the issue of nuclear safety at 

 civilian nuclear power plants. 



In order to facilitate international co-operation, we need an appropriate forum and adequate 

 funds for addressing and solving the most pressing problems concerning the management, 

 storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste (as a parallel to the Nuclear 

 Safety Account). 



An appropriate forum is emerging. A Contact Expert Group (CEG) for facilitating 

 international co-operation on radioactive waste management projects in the Russian 

 Federation, including technical, legal, organizational and financial aspects, is scheduled to 

 have its first meeting early in 1996. The establishment of the CEG is the most important 

 follow-up measure to the seminar on international co-operation on nuclear waste management 

 in the Russian Federation, which was arranged in May 1995 by the IAEA, at the request of the 

 Nordic Council of Ministers. 



The seminar proceedings provide the first comprehensive picture of the waste management 

 infrastructure of the Russian Federation to countries and organizations that may wish to begin 

 or to extend co-operative programmes in this area. 



The Russian delegation at the seminar demonstrated the resolve of the Government, the 

 relevant Russian authorities and organizations, and the regions to deal speedily and effectively 

 with the problem of radioactive waste management, in full collaboration with the international 

 community. 



Norway sees the establishment of the CEG as an interesting forum for future international co- 

 operation on nuclear waste management projects, and would encourage the USA and other 

 countries to participate actively in the CEG. 



Norway welcomes the decision to arrange a G-7/P-8 summit meeting on nuclear issues in 

 Moscow in April 1996. We have great expectations that the Summit, in addition to 

 considering the safety of nuclear reactors and security of nuclear materials, also will address 

 in a substantive way the problems of management, storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel 

 and radioactive waste. The summit should initiate studies as well as give impetus to 

 international co-operation on concrete projects. The summit should initiate discussions on 

 how national efforts may be supplemented by multilateral financial assistance, for instance as 

 a parallel to the Nuclear Safety Account operated by the EBRD. Norway has prepared a paper 



